Residents Band Together to Get Local Road Fixed

Local residents aren't happy with the condition of a specific road in Salem, and they are coming together in an effort to speed up drainage and surface fixes.

Stephen Hamilton spoke on behalf of petitioners who have presented a $175,000 article for the reconstruction of Field Avenue.

While Hamilton said he actually lives on Grove Avenue, which was recently paved, he told Selectmen that everything is in the same neighborhood.

"We in the neighborhood have all come together to try and help to solve this problem," Hamilton said.

Hamilton explained that the drainage problem with Field Avenue has been around for "many, many years," and has created a pretty serious impact to one household in particular.

"It's the town road, and by neighbors who live there are much more patient than I would be," he said. "Our neighbors have allowed your street, our street collectively, to flood into their yard."

The funding requested in the petition calls for the road reconstruction, drainage upgrades and repaving.

Town Engineer Robert Puff Jr. confirmed that the road is inadequately drained, and some engineering would need to take place if the article were to pass.

Selectmen voted  4-1 to send the petition forward without recommendation, with Chairman Pat Hargreaves opposing the motion.

Selectman Mike Lyons disagreed with the extent of the damage presented to the board. He added that there are other roads in town that are just as bad.

"I think we've got to get there and we've got to get this done," Lyons said. "Where it fits, I believe that's open to discussion."

Field Avenue is listed in the Salem 10-year road plan to be worked on in 2017.

Hamilton argued that while there may be roads with similar reconsruction needs, there are few roads negatively impacting a household like Field Avenue.

Another resident presented new photographs to the board with erosion on the property caused by flooding.

The residence is located at 9 Field Avenue, which according to Salem property records is owned by Eric and Lisa Tittmann.

After being told by Selectmen that there is no program to improve the drainage on Field Avenue, Hamilton was directed to take the petition route.

Several other residents joined Hamilton in attendance at the meeting.

Selectman Everett McBride Jr. argued that the town spent $7 million in cash this year on roads.

"That's a lot of money," he said.

Fellow Selectman Stephen Campbell said that petitioned road warrants will create a situation where roads with lots of people on them, such as Lawrence Road, will be better prepared to lobby for fixes than those without.

Next year's funding for the road program will be voted on as a bond article in March, with a total request of $5,620,000.