Lanesborough Select Board OKs Resources For Storm Damage
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town recognizes the need for additional resources to clear damage from last week's storm.
On Monday, the Select Board voted to allocate additional funds for the highway department to come in on a Friday for brush collection. The Town Hall and offices normally operate on a four-day week Monday through Thursday.
"Just to be clear we do have overtime in the appropriated budget that gets allocated for the year," Town Administrator Gina Dario explained. "So this is not money coming from another appropriation, that's not the vehicle to do that."
On July 16, severe thunderstorms hammered parts of North and Central County, downing trees and limbs and leaving more than 8,000 customers without power.
The Berkshires, eastern New York, and parts of Southern Vermont were under a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 that night. The storm came through shortly after 6 p.m. with thunder, lightning, and torrential rain.
Lanesborough and Cheshire Fire Departments asked residents to stay home and give them time to clear the roads. Drivers were asked to avoid Goodell and Miner streets in Lanesborough.
Brush collection was set to happen in the coming weeks and in the meantime, residents can bring brush to the town dump at Orebed Road.
"The town's DPW and tree warden are continuing to triage support for damage created by last night's storm," a post on the town's website reads.
"There may be support to pick up storm-related debris and brush in the coming week or two. Please keep an eye out on the website for more information and confirming of timings."
Select Board member Deborah Maynard reported comments from residents about brush "overrunning" part of Bull Hill Road. Board member Timothy Sorrell asked if there was money in the budget for the highway department to come in on a Friday and expedite cleanup.
"We're already looking at three weeks back and as I drove through, I saw piles of it already on the road," he said of the storm debris. "It's just going sit there and eventually get blown away and scattered all over."
Dario said the board can choose to authorize additional monies, adding "I believe that's a precedent that's used on the rare occasion that we've had these types of storms." The department is going to try and manage it in the budget, as this is a reallocation of resources to try and get Friday crews if they are available. A part is also needed for the chipper.
She noted that this is challenging in the summer months.
In other news, a speed bump, signage, and a traffic mirror have been ordered for the reportedly problematic intersection between Old State Road and the Berkshire Mall.
At the last Select Board meeting, abutters expressed concerns about drivers ignoring stop signs and speeding through the area. Target owns its building and is the lone business left on the property.
The residents advocated for a stop sign before drivers turn onto Old State Road, as there are stop signs coming from the mall and a stop sign coming off the road. A contributing factor is the stone wall that hinders visibility, they said.
Police Chief Robert Derksen said there have been no reported accidents at the intersection over the last two years but added, "I'm sure there's a lot of near misses."
At first, the Select Board discussed adding two additional stop signs but voted to place a speed bump across Old State Road where there is an existing stop sign. The highway superintendent will also look into a traffic mirror to alleviate the blind spot.
