(The following story by Steven H. Foskett Jr. appeared on the Telegram & Gazette website on June 10, 2010.)
WORCESTER, Mass. — City Councilor Philip P. Palmieri, who has raised concerns during the city and state’s talks with CSX over the company’s desire to expand its freight yard, said last night he was pleased that many of those issues had been addressed.
He said it appears that CSX has listened to neighbors.
“Most of the agreement responds to questions from neighbors who said, ‘What about us?’ ” Mr. Palmieri said.
Mr. Palmieri, who has questioned CSX’s plans to eliminate the Putnam Lane connection between Shrewsbury and Franklin streets, said that overall, the mitigation plans and traffic upgrades address many issues, involving Plantation, Franklin, Grafton, Hamilton and Shrewsbury streets and the Canal District. He said he looks forward to the next council subcommittee meeting that will go over the proposal, and hopes residents stay involved in the process.
He said he was glad to hear that state Rep. Vincent A. Pedone, D-Worcester, said he will use campaign funds to retain an engineering firm to continue studying the Putnam Lane situation for an alternative that would link the two streets. Mr. Palmieri said there are other privately retained engineers looking at the road as well, although he he did not want to mislead residents into thinking that preserving the road or implementing an alternative was part of the agreed-upon proposal.
Mr. Palmieri did not back down from the stance he took, and said he was only reflecting the concerns of the community. He said he wondered what the agreement may have looked like had he not raised the issues. But he said he wants to continue to be involved as the project appears to move forward. He said the project is important for both the neighborhood and the entire city.
“I will continue to work with our community, the city administration, and CSX,” Mr. Palmieri said.