(The following column by Nick Kotsopoulos appeared on the Worcester Telegram & Gazette website on March 21, 2010.)
WORCESTER, Mass. — Despite various concerns that have been raised by neighborhood groups about CSX Corp.’s plan to more than double the size of its freight yard on Franklin Street, they likely will not be enough to derail the $100 million project.
That’s because there is just too much at stake for the Worcester City Council to draw a line in the sand with CSX over some of the issues that have been raised by residents.
While their concerns certainly have merit — increased truck traffic, noise, air pollution and the closing of Putnam Lane — most city councilors do not see them as potential deal breakers and believe those issues can be resolved. But they will have their hands full in the process.
“It’s interesting how neighborhood groups are leading the charge on this, and well they should,” said Councilor-at-Large Konstantina B. Lukes. “We can’t stop this, but we can make it better. It’s much easier to solve problems now rather than later. We’ve got to anticipate all potential problems now so we can have mitigation plans in place for the neighbors.”
Within the past week, the Grafton Hill Business Association, the Grafton Hill Neighborhood Association and the Shrewsbury Street Neighborhood Association all raised a variety of issues about the CSX project, claiming it will negatively impact the quality of life in their respective neighborhoods.
Gary J. Vecchio, president of the Shrewsbury Street Neighborhood Association, acknowledged there are many positive aspects about the CSX expansion plan, such as leading to more economic development opportunities in the city and an additional 20 commuter rail trains by 2012, but he added they will come at a price for his neighborhood.
“We’ve had to live with noise from trains for years, but you have to consider how this (expansion) will increase the number of trucks, trains and noise in our neighborhood,” Mr. Vecchio said. “We’re not saying we’re opposed to this, but there are some real issues, especially the potential closing of Putnam Lane. We want to work with the city and make this happen, but there has to be fairness to all neighborhoods.”
District 2 Councilor Philip P. Palmieri, meanwhile, is walking a political tightrope on this matter.
For many years, Mr. Palmieri has been one of the most vocal advocates on the City Council for more commuter rail service. But now that the city has the opportunity to get an additional 20 commuter rail trains a day, he has to deal with constituents in his district who are less than thrilled with it.
“When you have the kind of expansion they are talking about, it’s going to bring a lot more truck traffic, noise and pollution,” said Michael Troiano, honorary chairman of the Grafton Hill group. “That doesn’t seem like a good trade-off just to get some extra commuter rail trains here.”
But Mr. Palmieri remains hopeful that things can be worked out to the satisfaction of all. While it would be difficult for the city to turn its back on a $100 million investment by CSX, he said, the city cannot and will not ignore the residents’ concerns.
“We will move forward positively on this, but we won’t be a rubber stamp, that’s for sure,” Mr. Palmieri said.
Councilor-at-Large Joseph M. Petty, co-chairman of the joint council committee holding hearings on the CSX plan, also believes things can be worked out. He said CSX has been a good partner with the city, has not attempted to hide anything and has gone out of its way to address neighborhood concerns.
“(CSX) has been pretty forthright with us,” Mr. Petty said. “Working together, I think we can keep this project on track. In the next couple of weeks, we should have a better idea of where things are going with it.”