Cracking asphalt and inadequate drainage are some of the problems that have Robin Road residents wondering when the Town of Southwick will start the repair process. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – A group of Robin Road residents are pushing for the official acceptance of their street and help from the town to repair it.
Nearly a dozen residents of the subdivision attended the Southwick Planning Board meeting this week, asking for help.
“We want to find out about the proper procedure for working with the town to get our road fixed,” said one Robin Road resident. “Our road is deteriorating pretty badly.”
Board Chairman Douglas Moglin told residents the board was aware there was a problem and told them the Board of Selectmen were the authority on acceptance.
Residents have attended a few selectmen meetings to plead their case during public comment time.
Moglin said he has done some research on the road and found that a previous planning board signed-off on lifting the developer’s bond for the street. However, he could not find any information about why the board did so without having the road accepted first. Moglin said technically the street is a private way.
Residents argued that is not true.
Tim LaPlante, left foreground, of Robin Road in Southwick, questions the Southwick Planning Board during Tuesday night’s meeting. LaPlante and his neighbors, background, are asking for repairs to the road which has not been accepted by the Town of Southwick. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
“It is an unnamed public way,” said one female resident.
Moglin said despite the road being plowed by the town, it is not considered a public way until it is formally accepted.
“It is a named street, but not accepted by the town,” Moglin said.
Residents asked how to get the road accepted. Moglin suggested the first step would be to have a meeting of the two boards, along with Robin Road residents, to discuss the issues and form a plan. He said the residents would likely need to petition to have the street accepted.
“Generally you would petition, the Board of Selectmen would send it to us for recommendation, we would send it back, and it would go to Town Meeting,” said Moglin.
Board Vice Chairperson Roz Terry said acceptance does not guarantee a fix.
“Even if it did get accepted, we have to come up with the money to fix it,” she said.
Residents expressed their frustration and anger with the situation. Moglin said in the past, some boards did not follow policies well and admitted that he became interested in joining the board after a similar situatiion occurred on his own street.
Moglin said that today, the board does a “fabulous” job of crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s in these situations. He also noted that the regulations have changed over the years and expressed sympathy for the residents.
Moglin and Town Planner Alan Slessler agreed to schedule a meeting with the Board of Selectmen and would notify each Robin Road resident in advance.
