Overgrown vegetation grows where a house once stood on the north side of the present Route 57 near the Southwick / Agawam town line. The home was purchased and razed to make way for the expansion of Route 57. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – It came as a big surprise to town and state officals last week when Administrator of the MassDOT Highway Division Frank DePaola wrote in a letter that the state was “not interested” in land where Route 57 is supposed to be extended.
The letter was sent to Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO), owners of the land. WMECO has been holding the property for the state, which promised to complete the Route 57 project decades ago and took homes along the path of the extension.
The Southwick Board of Selectmen is hoping the state will offer a clarification of its position on extending Route 57.
More than a week ago, a meeting took place in Boston regarding the future of Route 57. The meeting with DePaola was attended by Agawam Mayor Richard Cohen and West Springfield Mayor Edward Sullivan, along with state Reps. Nicholas Boldyga and Michael Finn, and State Sen. Donald Humason’s chief of staff. Southwick officials were not informed of the meeting until the day before, so Selectmen Chairman Russell Fox asked Humason and Boldyga to represent Southwick’s interest in the issue.
“My personal opinion is that it should be completed,” said Fox. “I told the senator that I hope the Commonwealth would consider giving due consideration to Southwick.”
Fox said Humason and Boldyga indicated the meeting went well and were surprised to learn that just one day later a letter was sent to WMECO.
“It wasn’t very good news,” said Fox. “I think someone needs to explain what transpired.”
Humason was shocked when he heard about the letter because, he said, it was his understanding that DePaola indicated in the meeting that he knew nothing about the property use.
“The letter was written the day before that meeting,” said Humason.
Humason said he, Finn, Fox, Cohen, Sullivan, Boldyga and State Sen. James Welch penned a letter to Mass DOT Secretary Richard A. Davey asking the state to make good on its promise to the towns and residents involved and complete the project.
“They may not have the money now, but another administration may in the future,” Humason said. “I’m not even sure the secretary or the governor were aware of this (letter).”
Humason said this was the first time there was any word from the state that it would not continue the project.
“This is a big deal,” he said. “We want them to purchase the property because if they don’t do it now and WMECO sells it, it will be more difficult to take the property in the future to finish Route 57.”
Humason said WMECO was copied on the letter to Davey.
