By Beth David, Editor
The North Fairhaven Improvement Association invited Select Board Chairperson Leon Correy to its meeting on Thursday, 6/15/23 to discuss the MassDOT proposals for Benoit Square that the SB discussed at its 5/15 meeting. In September of 2022, Officials from MassDOT (Mass. Department of Transportation) and SRPEDD (Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District) met with Fairhaven town officials and members of the North Fairhaven Improvement Association to discuss traffic patterns in Benoit Square.
The triangular shaped space is at the merger point of Adams and Main Streets and is about one block long. Adams Street ends at the north end of the square and Main Street continues north. The merger point is also where the Oxford School was, and is now home to more than 50 apartments. Across the street are several businesses, including a pizza place and bar. The former Bijou Building is also being renovated to include apartments and retail space.
The NFIA has an agreement with the town to use the former fire station at 267 Adams Street, which is on that last block of Adams Street, along the square. It is where the organization holds its monthly meetings. The NFIA also holds several events at Benoit Square each year, including a music night and a lighting at Christmas time with Santa.
At the meeting last Thursday, Mr. Correy started by saying he had the same information that NFIA members had, because he only had the information that was presented at the SB meeting on 5/15. He said he had no additional information to give.
He said he spoke briefly with Rep. William Straus on Memorial Day and Mr. Straus told him that the proposals presented by the former Town Planner were rejected, including making Adams Street a one way.
NFIA member John Medeiros asked Mr. Correy to go over the proposals, but Mr. Correy said he had no “paperwork,” because he thought he had been invited to answer questions and not give “an entire presentation.”
He briefly summarized the state’s concepts which included painting the end at the merger point to square it off a bit and clarify the lanes, and place a yield sign on Adams Street.
“It’s the state. The town does not have a say,” said Mr. Correy, adding that they only presented the two concepts as a “courtesy.”
“So the town has no say,” asked Mr. Medeiros.
“It’s a state road,” said Mr. Correy. “They don’t really have to include us in anything.”
Mr. Medeiros countered that at the September meeting it seemed the town had a right to some involvement.
“It was not just the state,” at that meeting, said Mr. Medeiros, town officials were there, too.
He said it was his understanding, from that meeting that the state would be asking for input from the town.
“Well, they didn’t,” said Mr. Correy. “That’s all I have.”
“And you’re allowing that?” asked Mr. Medeiros, clearly not happy with either concept.
“I don’t know what you want me to do,” said Mr. Correy. “Go to Governor Baker’s office*?”
In response to questions and comments, Mr. Correy said the traffic study was requested before his time. Members said they believed the construction of the apartments may have contributed to the state finally showing up to do something. Some said there did not seem to be much more traffic due to the apartments.
“In general the entire world has exploded with traffic,” said NFIA board member Heidi Hacking.
Tony Furtado, who lives in the neighborhood, said since the PJ Keating quarry in Acushnet has been closed, the traffic is not as bad, but the quarry will be reopening soon.
He said his mother’s house on the corner has had the fence hit many times over the years.
“If you live up here, you have a traffic problem,” said Mr. Furtado.
Mr. Correy said the state’s proposals will move the focal point away from the square. One makes the turn a regular perpendicular turn instead of a merger.
“Beyond that I’m really not included,” said Mr. Correy.
NFIA member Bob Demanche said it didn’t make sense that the town had no say.
“As soon as you do anything, by definition, you’re affecting a town road,” said Mr. Demanche. “And it’s affecting a main road. So we’ve got reason to have representation.”
Former Planning Board member and chairperson Wayne Hayward, who is not an NFIA member, but was also invited to the meeting, said what he was hearing was “a little unbelievable.”
“These are state roads and these are town roads,” said Mr. Hayward. “We have a right and a say.”
He said the neighborhood is now mixed use, and is on its way to being what the center of town is. He ticked off the projects one by one.
“This area is being rejuvenated piece by piece,” said Mr. Hayward.
He said the town can apply for money to help with the road and named a variety of ways to do that.
“It’s all about design,” said Mr. Hayward and stressed that the state will listen, but the town has to know what it wants. They have to tell the state what it wants.
He noted that SRPEDD said years ago that the area was “problematic.”
Mr. Correy interrupted around that time and said he had to leave.
The discussion continued without him, with Mr. Hayward offering members a variety of options for proceeding, most of it rooted in the idea that the town is not helpless.
He said the crosswalk that MassDOT wants to use was never meant as a crosswalk without a crossing guard.
“That’s how it was designed to work,” he said, not for elderly residents to traverse four lanes of traffic to get to the businesses on the other side.
“Don’t let them take you off topic,” he also advised, adding that the bridge is not the problem. “We need to focus on this, not that.”
Mr. Hayward said in the past they had also talked about rerouting some of the big trucks to Alden Road, and other ideas that seem to have been forgotten.
“This is our town, folks,” said Mr. Hayward. “We get to decide these issues.”
He painted a vision of the square being like a “regular neighborhood” with foot traffic and people walking to the retail spaces.
The idea of paint and flex posts is simply not acceptable.
Imagine using flex posts in front of town hall, he said, and reminded them that the Oxford School Building is an historic building, too.
“It’s not a permanent solution” said Mr. Hayward. “It really upsets me to see such a trivial response.”
He said he definitely disagreed with Mr. Correy, saying it was his “interpretation.”
“It’s your town, we just need some leadership,” said Mr. Hayward, noting it will take commitment, and it will take a long time.
The state is engaged in “classic two dimensional thinking,” he said.
“They’re not taking about quality of life issues,” said Mr. Hayward. “I guarantee you they are fighting over what color paint to use, white or yellow, because one is cheaper.”
The NFIA agreed to put the issue on the next agenda. Meanwhile they will try to raise awareness in the neighborhood and form a plan of action.
Some members worried that there are a lot of renters, not necessarily home owners, so interest may not be as strong.
Mr. Furtado disagreed, saying young families live in the neighborhood, they have children, and they care about where they live even if they do not own their homes.
The NFIA meets the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at 267 Adams Street. Nonmembers are welcome to attend, and new members are actively being sought. The next meeting is July 20.
To learn more about the NFIA, visit https://northfairhavenimprovementassoc.weebly.com/ or email northfairhavenimprovement267@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.
At its 5/15/23 meeting, the Select Board discussed the two concepts proposed by MassDOT. They are included in the meeting materials available from the SB office or online at https://www.fairhaven-ma.gov/select-board/pages/select-board-meeting-packets. The meeting is available on demand at https://www.fairhaventv.com/governmentmeetingvideos
*Maura Healey is the present governor of Massachusetts; she was sworn in on 1/5/23, replacing Gov. Charlie Baker.
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