Planning Board (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – The Planning Board heard from two consultants from Bohler Engineering regarding site plan improvements at Walmart, 141 Springfield Road, for a proposed customer pick up area of grocery and dry paper goods ordered online, originally proposed two years ago.
The proposed designated parking area for online pickup would have 12 numbered and striped parking spaces to the far left side of the store. Customers would go to their designated numbered spot, and associates would bring goods to them in their vehicle, with an expected turnover rate of five minutes. Customers would be discouraged from getting out of their cars.
During the presentation, the consultants said that outstanding Conservation Commission issues had been resolved with conditions, which was the reason for the project’s withdrawal and resubmission. Among the issues had been removal of invasive species, and use of salt for ice removal.
The addition to a five-foot wide concrete ramp that will get Walmart associates to the parking area was one of the current issues that had to be resolved with the Conservation Commission. The plan called for 400 cubic feet of additional impervious surface, when the company had been told no more by Conservation members, who asked them to find comparable storage within existing construction. That condition was met within a planted area in the front of the store.
Other prior comments that had been addressed, according to the Bohler consultants, were questions about the goods available for the service. Only groceries and dry goods, such as paper goods, health and beauty products, non-prescription medicines, cleaning supplies, etc. would be available for customer pickup. General merchandise such as clothing, electronics, toys, home goods, etc. will not be available for pickup.
Planning Board member Robert Goyette asked if liquor was part of the pickup. One representative said from what they understood, they were not allowed to bring liquor to cars, but he was not sure if that was in this state or in another state.
The other representative said he lived in eastern Massachusetts, where no liquor is available in grocery stores.
“You should be more informed on what’s available in the store. It’s a little embarrassing,” Goyette said.
Planning Board chairman William Carellas asked for the state law on the delivery of alcohol.
Resident Cynthia Murphy of State Street, who was in attendance on another matter, said on premises licenses may never deliver alcohol out of the structure, which was confirmed in a search of the law. During the search, an article stating that Walmart delivers alcohol to cars in 29 states was also found, Carellas said. The article was posted on the Walmart website on Oct. 30, 2019.
Carellas recommended a condition that no beer, wine or other alcohol would be coming out in delivery.
Another issue the Planning Board had with the proposal was safety regarding trucks that traveled through the customer pick up area. The Bohler representatives said tractor-trailers were confined to the other side of the store in the truck delivery area.
Jane Magarian and other Planning Board members said trucks do come around and exit through the parking area. A “No trucks” signage was recommended, and a plastic chain was suggested, along with a speed bump.
“It’s not what they want to do,” said the Bohler representatives, adding that it’s not something either of them could commit to. They said putting in a chain could bring liability to the store.
“Our biggest concern is the safety issue,” said Cheryl Crowe, adding that she had a problem with the store not being willing to compromise.
“I’m not against this at all, I’m for this, I just want to make sure it’s done right,” said Magarian. She said if they don’t put in a barrier and a tractor trailer drives through and someone gets hurt, there would be more liability.
“I’m for this. I just want to make sure employees don’t get injured, customers don’t get hurt, trucks won’t be put in a bad situation,” Carellas said.
“I think more trucks go through there than you realize,” added John Bowen.
The consultants said they would take the comments back to the company.
The Planning Board recommended that they return at the next meeting on January 7 with the store manager. “If the manager came in, he could address our concerns,” Magarian said. The site permit was continued to Jan. 7.
