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Reminder Assistant Editor CHICOPEE Mayor Michael Bissonnette wants all the citizens of his city to become members of "Team Chicopee," and to help aid that process he has embarked on the Mayor's 2008 Listening Tour. Last Monday, that tour made a visit to the Castle of Knights to gather input from Fairview neighborhood residents. A federally-mandated $13.8 million sewer separation project has been under construction in that neighborhood since May 31, 2007. The project, when finished, will lay down more than seven miles of sewer lines, 40,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer mainline pipe, 16,800 linear feet of sewer laterals, 12,500 feet of storm drain, 10,000 linear feet of water line relocation and 1,300 linear feet of cured-in-place pipe lining. A recent release from the mayor's office stated all of the water main work, 80 percent of all the pipe work 60 percent of the entire project has been completed. Residents of North Fairview are having some difficulty seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, however. At the March 3 hearing, more than 100 residents convened to voice their concern to Bissonnette, Ward 9 Alderman Ron Belair, Police Chief John Ferraro, Fire Chief Stephen Burkott, members of the city's water, electric and planning boards, members of the Department of Public Works, the Board of Assessors and the city's engineers. "I can't imagine what's on your minds," Bissonnette said to the assembly, "but we told you it was going to be like this, that it was going to be a mess. The bad news is that it came true. The good news is that it's only for a few years." Forty-five streets need to be reconstructed and repaved in the neighborhood and Bissonnette told residents the work should be done "before it gets cold again." Assistant City Engineer Frank Valley said the asphalt plants could be opening sometime this week. Every street will need total reconstruction, a peel and grade, a cold plane and overlay and then a final overlay. When Bissonnette opened up the meeting to gather comments from residents, many had complaints specific to their properties or their streets. Linda Masse, of Hudson Avenue, told the mayor how the large construction trucks of the contractor, Revoli Construction Co. of North Reading, Mass., park on her lawn and may have ruined her sprinkler system. Bissonnette assured her that, if broken, the city would repair the sprinklers. Lawns were a big issue for many residents. Dan Cote, of Homer Street, sees a lake form in his yard every time there's a heavy rain. He wanted to know if the city would install a drainage system in his yard to work with the new sewer system. Department of Public Works Superintendent Stan Kulig told Cote that once the contractor's work is finished, the city will create basins and drains in his yard. Kulig also explained that the portions of driveways torn up by the project will be replaced, but entire driveways would not be. "Don't pre-judge the restoration project," Bissonnette said. "Yes, there will be a lot of two-tone yards and driveways. We're trying to find out what we can do to work with you." There were some complaints that Revoli workers were rude to some residents, with one person commenting, "They blow you off when you raise a concern." Al Laflamme, of Everett Street, wanted to know what the protocol was when it came to the contractor closing the street it was working on. "There are four people in my house and we're told we need to be out of the house by 7 a.m. It's tough. We're just asking for a wee bit of notice." He added, "And when they're done with a section, why not leave it in a driveable condition?" His question was met with applause from many of the other residents. "I think they're gypsies," Richard Beaudry, of Keddy Boulevard, said. "They have no regard for personal property." Not everyone had negative things to say about Revoli, however. Bill Fortier, of Ferguson Street, said, "I haven't been able to park on my own property since last Wednesday [Feb. 27], but I think the crews have been courteous." "A lot of this is temporary, because this is a work in progress," Bissonnette said. "It's a major work that's going to take time. I commend you on your patience." The hearing wrapped up after about two hours. While the majority of mayor's time was spent listening to concerns about the sewer project, residents also discussed the removal of old light poles, the competency of the city's water department, new sidewalks along New Ludlow Road and Montcalm Street and the painting of the water tank, which will be orange and white and will be painted either before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. North Fairview residents with questions or concerns about the project should call the mayor's office at 594-1500 or Valley at 594-3416. | ||||||
