During a recent government meeting, members of the select board and community stakeholders engaged in a robust discussion regarding ongoing traffic concerns and environmental considerations related to the Department of Public Works (DPW) operations on Forest Road.

A select board member, who has served for six years and has extensive experience in the area, highlighted the challenges posed by increased traffic from DPW vehicles, school buses, and local residents using Forest Road to access the transfer station. The member noted that traffic monitoring devices have been deployed to gather data on vehicle volume and speed, which will inform future safety measures.

Concerns were raised about the safety of the road, particularly regarding incidents of speeding and improper driving by DPW employees. The member emphasized the need for a safer road environment, suggesting that the data collected from the traffic study could help address these issues. There was a consensus that the construction of a new project should minimize traffic disruptions by utilizing Route 2 for construction access, thereby reducing heavy vehicle traffic on Forest Road.

Additionally, discussions touched on environmental considerations, specifically regarding the presence of vernal pools and wildlife habitats in the area. An environmental investigation was conducted, but some community members expressed skepticism about the findings, citing personal observations of wildlife in the vicinity.

The meeting underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue between the select board, town management, and residents to address these multifaceted issues effectively. Stakeholders expressed a desire for continued engagement to ensure that both community safety and environmental integrity are prioritized in future planning and operations.