HATFIELD — Multiple times over the past two years, Craig Stevens’ property on West Street has been flooded with several inches of mud during the project to extend water and sewer lines on the state highway.
There also has been construction litter ending up near his home, and the sounds of the daily work that Stevens describes as “torture” for people who live there.
“There’s noise all night long,” Stevens told the Select Board at its meeting Tuesday.
He was among several residents who asked the board to pay more attention to the problems. “You should be freaking out,” Stevens said.
The public feedback session comes as paving is supposed to soon be underway by Warner Brothers of Sunderland, with the resurfacing complete in mid-November, and replacing the numerous patch jobs on that stretch of road, according to Michael Carmasine, project engineer for Comprehensive Environmental Inc. of Marlborough.
“Hopefully we’ll see a much better drivable road in the coming weeks,” Carmasine said.
Carmasine said Geeleher Enterprises Inc. of Southampton, as the contractor, will also be installing the new sewer pump station by Thanksgiving.
Frustrations have been mounting for residents as they cope with the project to extend sewer service on Route 5 from Linseed Road to Rocks Road, and water service for 2,200 feet along Route 5 south of Rocks Road, through a $2 million MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant the town first sought in 2014.
The problems have included a gas leak in October 2021, homes shaking at all hours of the day, and construction equipment being left on lawns and properties during weekends and holidays.
Virginia Canton of 37 West St. said deep sinkholes near her property worry her, and that the response from the contractor has been inadequate.
“The way they’re treating us is part of our anger. The disrespect is so unbelievable,” Canton said.
Select Board Chairwoman Diana Szynal said she was disappointed to hear the complaints.
“I’m really and truly sorry you’re all going through this and it is taking so long, I know it’s tiresome for everybody,” Szynal said.
Highway Director Phil Genovese said that he is having conversations with Geeleher and Warner Brothers to make sure after the milling and paving is done that all equipment is removed, as well as debris, from all lawns and private properties. Szynal said he should be the point person should problems keep arising.
Select Board member Brian Moriarty said as town officials they owe it to residents for another walk through of the neighborhood.
Once the paving and other work is wrapped up this fall, the project will begin its third construction season in spring 2023.
Town Administrator Marlene Michonski said the town is also asking for close to $1 million more from the state for costs that are incurred related to the project.
Susan Berry of Old Stage Road, who owns 34-36 West St. where Waxwing restaurant is located, used the opportunity to again express her concerns with the project. While Berry said it is a horrible situation with paving delays that residents are experiencing, she worries that long term the restaurant business will be affected.
“In the end we’re going to be a living with a raw sewage pumping station in a restaurant parking lot,” Berry said.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
