The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Russell Street proposal put on hold
Public works plan seeks street closure; public outcry convinces officials to wait
LITCHFIELD — A proposal to partially close the Public Works Department campus on Russell Street was discussed at a hearing Tuesday night, and residents lined up to fight it.
And after some discussion with members of the Board of Selectmen, Public Works Director Raz Alexe decided it was best to wait until springtime.
Alexe’s proposal aims to address safety concerns for pedestrians and throughtraffic, as Russell Street intersects with a residential neighborhood, primarily Meadow Street, near Center School. “The public works operators of heavy equipment have concerns about the speed and amount of (traffic) on the Russell Street connector road that cuts through the public works campus,” according to Alexe, who said his department is one of the few in the state that doesn’t have a dedicated campus.
The department also is losing about $10,000 a year because of theft — people helping themselves to supplies of gravel, sand and other materials stored in the public works yard, Alexe said. “The theft of product, intentional or non-intentional, is a concern,” he said. Cameras at the yard, he said, have identified residents, nonresidents and contractors removing product that is not permitted, including salt, rocks and gravel. He also pointed to
the expensive equipment stored on Russell Street that is accessible to anyone who drives onto the property after hours.
Nearby residents, however, don’t want the road closed, saying it will force local drivers to use alternate routes to exit their own streets, and that access is needed for school buses and parents taking their children to school.
Alexe took their comments into account after some discussion with selectmen.
“I have seen the (Facebook) comments, and (people’s concerns) have to do with the schools right now,” he said. “We need to look at the pandemic as a problem for parents of children that have to be driven to school. They’re facing a dilemma of getting kids on the buses.
“Personally, I’m still concerned,” Alexe said. “But I understand. Let’s wait until spring; by the beginning of May, hopefully the pandemic will be under control.”
If Tuesday’s public hearing had continued, it would have adjourned to a town meeting on a future date set by the board. Selectman Jon
Torrant, who first questioned the legality of closing the road at all, said Alexe’s proposal certainly would be defeated at a town meeting.
“It doesn’t make any sense to me at all,” Torrant said.
Alexe’s proposal stated that the street would be open to bikes and pedestrians after 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday. “Motorized vehicles are a problem for us,” he said. He referred to Torrington, which faced similar issues with local traffic some years ago, and put gates up to protect the public works yard. “It will be an inconvenience to some people, because they’ll have to find another way out, but it will work otherwise,” he said at the start of the hearing.
Selectman Jeff Zullo was worried about school buses having access to the road, but Alexe said no buses would have to change routes. “When we know a fleet of buses are coming, we’ll keep the gates open,” he said.
Torrant and Zullo also questioned Alexe’s claims about people stealing material from the yard.
“We did our own investigation, and we had conversations with (town constables),” Alexe said. “How were we going to address this? That was the dilemma,” he said. “Investing in a high-end camera was very expensive. … I don’t think we did a good job informing our local law representatives as often as we should have.”
During public comment, Bill Deacon, a Woodruff Street resident, said it was time for the town to prosecute people if they’re caught stealing from the yard. “Make an example out of them,” he said.
Zullo advised Alexe to put up “strongly worded signs” threatening prosecution to deter theft. “We all also recognize the need for safety while the town garage is operating,” he said. “It might be more open-minded to let the public use the road and keep it safe with gates during work hours.”
“It appears there’s some unknowns here,” Alexe said. “I do like the idea of putting this off.”
Torrant also suggested finding a new public works yard.
“It’s not the first time I’ve heard from a resident to find a different location,” Alexe said.
He asked the board to visit public works, and see examples of traffic concerns.
“I invite the Board of Selectmen to spend half a day at public works, to understand the situation we’re in.”