SOUTHWICK – Residents throughout the community gathered at the town hall auditorium on Tuesday night for the public informational hearing regarding the Congamond Rd. and sewer projects.
A number of town officials were in attendance, including members of the Sewer Implementation Committee and the Select Board.
DPW Director Randy Brown, who is also on the sewer implementation committee, handled the majority of the informational hearing.
Brown began with an introduction of the project by showing the crowd a presentation of the information that they provide to the town.
Brown’s presentation broke up the project into two parts. There is the road reconstruction of Congamond Rd., as well as the proposed sewer line along Congamond Rd. and other streets surrounding Congamond Lake.
Coordinated through Mass DOT (Department of Transportation), the road portion of the project would consist of a number of safety improvements. Radar display units will be placed eastbound and westbound on Congamond Rd., which will be provided by Mass DOT.
Several people including many who live on or near Congamond Rd., were present for the informational hearing. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
New signals will be installed at the rail trail crossing, which is considered to be a dangerous intersection and the rail trail crossing will also see a re-alignment.
People from the audience who live on or near Congamond Rd. were concerned about the safety of that intersection.
Richard Goodchild, who lives on the odd side of Congamond Rd., expressed his concerns.
“We have to cross the road to get the mail every day,” said Goodchild. “We are on the side that is compromising our safety.”
If the signals near the rail trail crossings on Congamond Rd. were put in, that also means sidewalks would have to be built. Donna Cabana voiced her thought that she would lose a good part of her driveway due to the sidewalk; something she sees as a major hardship.
“I purchased my home for the low maintenance,” said Cabana. “I’m worried about the long-term impact.”
The sewer portion included two phases in which the first phase was already completed back in 2004. Phase 2A featured a parallel sewer interceptor that was done back in 2014.
The sewer expansion is the next phase and roughly 1,000 customers living near the lake area would be receiving if it indeed comes into effect.
Brown laid out the benefits for considering the expansion which would be failed septic systems, poor soils, help retain businesses in town, protection of drinking water supply, and protection of Congamond Lake.
People in the crowd were concerned about how an expanded sewer line could affect them for the future.
Clarence Crosler talked about the problems with a culvert under his driveway and how every time it rains, the water washes up onto his yard.
“I don’t know what I should do at this point,” said Crosler.
According to Brown, the special town meeting on Dec. 6, will include a vote on the expansion of the new sewer line. If approved at the meeting by the voters from the community, the cost would be $950,000.
The options towards funding the proposed sewer line were then brought to the crowd’s attention. The town would provide some interim funding but outside help would have to play a factor.
USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) would be able to assist the town of Southwick with a loan or grant that could range up to 20%. Jennifer Sharrow of USDA, who represents the area near Hadley, Mass, discussed her significance with the project.
“We work with rural communities who can’t afford traditional financing,” said Sharrow. “Communities can’t afford 20 year loans at 5% interest.”
Announcing that the town in fact will not receive any funding for the project at this time from the Mass Works Infrastructure Program, Brown allowed Sharrow to continue to talk about what the USDA could offer.
DPW Director Randy Brown gives his presentation of the project to those in attendance. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Sharrow went on to say that several loan and grant opportunities would be available for a town like Southwick since it is still considered a rural community.
Based on the last census, Southwick’s population is roughly 9,520. Once a town is at or past 10,000 people, funding from the USDA would no longer be available.
Michael McMahon, a resident of Southwick who doesn’t live near the Congamond Lake area, tried to put the issue into perspective. With the census in 2020 expecting to go up in population for Southwick, the opportunity right now may be the best option.
“If you do any sewer projects (in the future), it’s going to cost you 50 to 100% more,” said McMahon. “I know it’s tough, but the deal isn’t going to get any better.”
The community of Southwick is encouraged to attend the special town meeting on Dec. 6, and registered voters will have the chance to vote on the Congamond Rd. and sewer projects.
