| Joanne Cole, NGX |
With the relocation of the public works garage from the Upper Village to the fire station site, an item remained open: where should the salt and sand pile for residents now go? Once the layout and traffic patterns of the new site became clearer, says Public Works director Ted Shane, an appropriate place for the sand pile emerged. The Planning Board approved the spot and the proposed structure at their October 15 meeting.
The sand pile’s new location, to the left of the fire station building and away from the primary path of trucks and plows, was chosen for residents’ safety. Shane told the board that traffic at the current location in the Upper Village is dangerous during a major storm. With residents arriving to load up on sand as the town’s heavy equipment circulates, he said, “It’s very hard to operate with the fact of worrying about hurting somebody.” The new location also has power close by, making it easy to add lights.
A roofed, open-sided 20’ x 20’ structure will shelter the salt and sand pile. The structure will sit on a concrete foundation, with a paved floor sloping toward the back to prevent salt from leaching out. Posts and a metal roof high enough for loader access complete the picture, a contrast with the current salt and sand pile that is open to the elements as well as to residents. Shane expects construction to be finished by late November.
Town planner Scott Hastings noted that the storage structure is an allowed use in the zone, complies with setback requirements, and will be on an already-approved existing impervious surface and away from wetlands. So straightforward was Public Works’ application that the board considered and approved it in what may have been record time; in fact, the full meeting lasted only 15 minutes, start to finish.
Video of the Planning Board’s expeditious October 15 meeting is available here.
