GREENE – Potholes and a possible road blockade at the Deer Run Road subdivision have become safety issues for residents and motorists.
A large pothole at the railroad crossing on College Road prompted selectmen to have Town Manager Charlie Noonan contact the railroad, which has not responded.
“For the safety of the citizens, we should fill them in,” Noonan said. “It’s really unsafe right now.”
The town will fix the hole while waiting for a meeting with railroad officials.
“The bumps and potholes have gotten bad,” Selectman Kevin Mower said.
Most road damage from the April 3 storm has been addressed, town officials reported. However, Fire Chief and Road Foreman Bruce Tuft said there is an urgent need to get asphalt on Church Hill as soon as possible.
“What is happening right now is that we are working on it one day and then when we go to check on it the next day, it’s washed out.”
Selectmen said they had witnessed vehicles crossing over into the oncoming traffic lane to avoid the washout.
The paving job has been put out to bid and the board has given Noonan the green light to pursue the repair. Tuft said residents who believe road repairs have been overlooked should call the town garage at 946-5501.
“We have been getting a lot of calls regarding Allen Pond and Sawyer roads,” he said. “These are state roads and residents need to contact Winthrop DOT for that.”
Selectmen were equally concerned about a notice received from representatives of the Deer Run Road subdivision stating that as of May 7, the road would be blocked off near the Stag Hollow intersection, preventing traffic from passing.
If the blockade were to occur, the board believes it would violate the original subdivision approval plan and prevent emergency vehicle access.
Tuft believes blocking the road could cause turmoil for rescue units.
“I don’t think they can do that; it’s not safe,” he said.
A request at the annual town meeting to accept the street as a town road was denied. The road is still deemed a private road, and would require much road work before its acceptance. Residents of Deer Run Phase 1 are seeking to create a dead end to prevent through traffic.
“That’s not what I signed off on,” Tuft said when referring to the original plans. “To do that they have to go before the Planning Board.”
Seeing no violation regarding the subdivision to date, the board is not taking action.
In another matter, striking a deal with selectmen, baseball director Joe Hutchinson proposed selling advertising space on the ballpark fence to help pay for the athletic program.
The board gave approval, with the consent of the Conservation Committee, stipulating a yearly financial report.
Hutchinson said he hopes the extra revenue will help reduce the Greene Youth Athletic Association’s fees.
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