More than $400,000 has been spent to date on Phase I to make improvements on Nicholson Hill Road in Southwick. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – Two residents of Nicholson Hill Road asked the Board of Selectmen this week when they could expect Phase II of the road improvement there to begin.
The short answer, said Chairman Arthur Pinell, is that they do not know.
“There hasn’t been any money scheduled,” he said, noting that more than $400,000 has been spent to date on Phase I.
The residents asked if the town ever planned to continue the work to Mort Vining Road as they were told in the beginning.
“I can’t give you a timeline, but that was the plan,” said Pinell.
The residents said it was their understanding that funds for the entire project were available at the start and asked if the money was still there. Pinell said it was not.
“We were, and will continue to be, hit because we are still dealing with damage from last year’s storms,” he said. “Some of (the money) was reprioritized, and Phase I was more expensive because we ran into some springs and there was extensive drain work done.”
Pinell said the Nicholson Hill Road work was part of an effort to improve several gravel roads in town, including Ed Holcomb Road and Honey Pot Road. While the town hopes to continue the intended project, other issues have become the priority.
“We have a problem at Gloria Drive we are dealing with and another big problem on Lexington,” said Selectman Russell Fox. “We have six roads on the list for paving and we’re down to $100,000 in that account, which won’t even cover one.”
Pinell said he believes Phase I was the more urgent need.
“We feel we’ve addressed the most hazardous part of the road,” said Pinell.
The residents said they understand the issue and asked to be “kept in the loop” of the situation.
