DEERFIELD – Lack of a required entrance ramp on Greenfield Road has made some Planning Board members unhappy that the new Cumberland Farms got a temporary certificate of occupancy from the town’s building inspector.
Chairman John Waite and member John Baronas said a site plan review was approved in March 2017, contingent upon the development of an entrance. Both seemed upset the new location at 31 Elm St. had opened for business starting Saturday, but member Henry “Kip” Komosa assured them Building Inspector Richard Calisewski rightfully issued a temporary certificate of occupancy after Cumberland Farms demonstrated safe vehicle flow through the Elm Street entrance with Calisewski, Police Chief John Paciorek Jr. and Highway Superintendent Kevin Scarborough present.
Baronas said the board had been lied to, though he later told The Recorder the word “misled” more accurately describes his feelings. But Calisewski said Cumberland Farms did not mislead Planning Board members. He said he issued the temporary certificate only after assessing a traffic study, getting input from Paciorek and Scarborough and seeing no issues during a tanker delivery demonstration by Cumberland Farms last week. Calisewski said the temporary certificate expires Nov. 10, when the Routes 5 and 10 entrance ramp is expected to be completed. He said a permanent certificate of occupancy will be issued upon completion of the ramp, which be used for only northbound entrance and exit.
The building inspector said he monitored the traffic situation on Saturday and Sunday and saw no problems. He said Cumberland Farms has offered to pay for an off-duty officer’s presence if traffic flow becomes an issue. He said the business has invested $4 million into the 31 Elm St. site and has hired 10 people.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.