Some updates and news on road construction and safety issues.
Department of Public Works posted some roadwork updates last week.
- The Transfer Station is in the midst of a reclaiming and paving project through next week.
- Final roadway paving on Clifford, Deerfoot and Woodbury/Vale intersection is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11th
Tuesday at the Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Administrator Mark Purple updated the board on Custom Automotive at the intersection of Woodland and Cordaville Road. While he initially focused on progress, a resident raised safety violations purportedly endangering area drivers.
In August, the board granted a short term license to sell used cars on the lot. It was conditioned on several improvements for appearance and safety.
Last month, the board debated how to handle a missed paving deadline by the owner. Selectman Dan Kolenda was in favor of revoking the license, but was overruled 4-1. The board instead opted to warn the owner who had been making other improvements at the site, including at least one ahead of schedule.
This week, Purple told the board that he visited the site with Building Inspector, Mark Robideuax. He said that Custom Automotive has completed the paving and striping and appeared to be in compliance for now. The next deadline for installing a fence is scheduled for May. In the meantime, Robideuax will need to “make sure the requirement on the new spacing and everything are enforced.”
Desiree Aselbekian, an area resident, later addressed the issue during public comment. She said that it looks “100% better than it has the past 30 years.” But she wanted the Town to be aware that she was “still deeply concerned” about the parking and safety issue. Having confirmed with the board the permitted parking area, she claimed that the owner has been in constant violation.
Aselbekian alleged that cars with dealers plates are continually parked outside of the permitted area, impeding the site line from Woodland Road merging onto Cordaville Road. She asked the board how she can pursue the issue and if any fines could be assessed:
It happens every single day. It continues to be horrific to look right in order to see if somebody going 50 miles an hour on 85 is going to clip me, to go out of Woodland.
Kolenda asked Purple to have Robideaux follow up to confirm the violations and make sure it stops. He asked Purple to confirm that violations could result in fines and license revocation hearing.
The TA reminded the board that the owner is up for license renewal in less than a month, and these are issues that they can take into consideration. He asked Aselbekian to inform Robideaux when she sees violations.
Answering a query from Kolenda, Purple said it’s not within police officers’ jurisdiction to enforce. The parking is a condition of the license.
In other news, Purple updated the board on the DPW’s Route 9 water main project earlier in his report.
The contractor’s work is completed on the westbound side (from Pleasant St to Central St). Eastbound, the Brook Lane main has been tapped and the contractor is moving to Oak Hill Road (as of then “relatively soon”). Next week, workers will head east toward Brook Lane. They will be meeting MassDOT’s deadline, with work completed this year before the freeze.
Any word as to when Deerfoot Road (Clifford St to Turnpike Rd) will be finished with the 2nd layer of pavement? With the gas & water mains sticking up all over the road, it is an obstacle course driving down there.
Never mind. I scrolled too fast!