Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
| By Natasha Clark Reminder Assistant Editor SIXTEEN ACRES In conjunction with the implementation of the new boundary school zoning, sidewalks are being constructed throughout the city in order to provide a walking place for students. But many residents in the Tinkham Road area seem to think that building a sidewalk in their neighborhood is not wise, especially since there is already a sidewalk on the opposite side of their street. Kevin Kenney's house sits at the corner of Angelica Drive. He's been living their since October and thanks to him, a petition was turned in to the city symbolizing the residents' disapproval. For one, Kenney said that he wasn't even notified by the city about their plans to make a sidewalk. "I received nothing," he told Reminder Publications. "I found out when I found it in the newspaper. The city says they mailed a letter, but I didn't get one. Some of my neighbors didn't get one, others did." The letter, Kenney said, was a notification about a meeting that would be taking place about the sidewalk construction a meeting Kenney said he couldn't attend because he wasn't aware of it. "I talked to a number of people that did and between 40 and 50 people showed up for that specific area, and everyone was opposed with the exception of one [person]," he explained. Kenney admits that, yes, "number one their taking my lawn, but the main reason is there's a sidewalk that runs the length of Tinkham from Wilbraham to Wilbraham Road in Springfield, on the opposite side." "What they're proposing is 4/10 of a mile and I think it's a waste ... I'm suggesting they put in a crosswalk," said Kenney. So Kenney initiated a petition that he eventually turned into 16 Acres Civic Association President Clodo Concepcion, and Kenney said Concepcion said he would be in touch with him. "The neighbors called me and asked me for my help," Concepcion said. "The point is this, they have a sidewalk already on one side, instead, why don't they just put a crosswalk to have kids cross and walk on that side all the way down to school." Concepcion said he has given the petition to Mayor Charles Ryan and Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Allan Chwalek. "We do not select the location. All we do is build them," Chwalek said. "The School Department received the petition and they are reviewing it." Chwalek also noted that sidewalks are built on public property and are five or six feet wide. "The Police Department and [departments] of transportation and safety walked all these streets and determined where they wanted sidewalks," Chwalek explained. "The fact that we weren't notified, that is what really aggravates me the most," Kenney added. Chwalek also said the DPW sent out letters to all of the residents and said "if we send out 1,000 and only 998 make it." Sidewalks are being constructed throughout the city and Chwalek said they hope to have the projects completed by sometime in September. "The whole purpose is for the safety of school children walking," Chwalek added. |