Planning Board discusses childcare safety concerns

Date: 12/14/2011

Dec. 12, 2011

By Chris Maza

Reminder Assistant Editor

EAST LONGMEADOW — At its Dec. 6 meeting, the Planning Board agreed to invite representatives from the Arbors Kids childcare center and preschool to discuss safety concerns.

Planning Director Robyn Macdonald told the board she has received complaints about the use of Garelco Sales Company Inc., a wood and lumber company, as a cut-through to the Red Stone Rail Trail.

Macdonald explained that the Arbors Kids’ East Longmeadow location replaced another childcare center, which had an agreement with the town that it would keep fences that abutted the Garelco property locked. When Arbors Kids went before the Planning Board for approval, they were instructed that they were to follow the same guidelines.

“The problem is the fence has not been locked and two employees have been taking 16 to 18 students through the working lumber yard to get access to the rail trail,” she said.

Macdonald added that she has spoken with Walter Gunn, general manager of Garelco and chair of the Longmeadow Planning Board, and reported that he has not given Arbors Kids permission to cut across the company’s property. Macdonald has also attempted to contact Arbors Kids regarding these complaints.

“I haven’t gotten any response,” she said. “It might behoove us to get the owner before the board.”

Citing the risk of injuries to children by heavy equipment and incoming and outgoing vehicles, Planning Board Chair Peter Punderson agreed that the issue needed to be addressed quickly.

“I think if I was a parent, I would want to know about this,” he said.

A request for comment from Arbors Kids was not returned as of press time.