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Providence & Worcester Railroad Vehement Opposition
Risk is going to increase for this highway crossing at grade. Out of interest for employees and the general public It is the stance of Providence & Worcester Railroad (PW) that the crossing not be expanded, and if it is that a robust and advanced crossing system inclusive of lights and gates be installed at the expense of the Town or developer to protect the community and PW employees.
Providence & Worcester Railroad Crossing Upgrades
Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, Inc., parent company of the Providence & Worcester Railroad, has revised plans and cost estimates to ensure compliance with American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) standards at the Rice Road railroad crossing. This adjustment is in response to anticipated traffic increases from the proposed Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project. Safety is paramount for Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, Inc., Providence & Worcester Railroad, and the community. However, the developers of Rice Pond Village have not prioritized public safety, as evidenced by their disregard for concerns raised by the Millbury Planning Board and the neighborhood. Despite increased traffic volumes and speeds due to the project, the developers refuse to bear the financial responsibility for necessary upgrades. The estimated cost for these upgrades is $432,659.42, with a projected closure of at least four days. Providence & Worcester Railroad's involvement in decision-making processes is crucial for prioritizing public safety.
Paving Of Rice Road
According to a drive-by conversation this afternoon with the Town of Millbury's DPW Director, Rice Road will be mostly paved from the Providence & Worcester Railroad crossing (our neighborhood side) to the last manhole on Rice Road near South Main Street on Monday, November 28, 2022.
Chapter 40B LIP Agreement Authorized
On Tuesday, October 25, 2022, the Millbury Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to authorize the chairperson of the Board of Selectmen, Mary Krumsiek, to enter into a Chapter 40B Local Initiative Program (LIP) agreement with SJV Investments (i.e., Steven Venincasa and James Venincasa ( the "Developer")) for the property located at 17 Rice Road in Millbury, Massachusetts.
Chapter 40B LIP Negotiation Memorandum
One of our neighbors sent the following memorandum to Mary Krumsiek and David Delaney, and carbon-copied members of the Millbury Board of Selectmen, the Millbury Board of Appeals, the members of the Millbury Planning Board, the members of the Millbury Conservation Commission, the Town Manager, the acting Town Planner, the acting DPW Director, the Police Chief, the Fire Chief to ensure our neighborhood's and the broader Millbury community's concerns are on record and addressed in any negotiations regarding the proposed Chapter 40B LIP project as submitted by developers, Steven F. Venincasa and James Venincasa, for 17 Rice Road in Millbury, Massachusetts.
Selectmen Vote To Enter Negotiations
On Tuesday, June 15, 2022, the Millbury Board of Selectmen voted to enter negotiations with the developers, Steven F. Venincasa and James Venincasa, for a proposed Chapter 40B LIP project, with a proposed 192-apartments with 48 being affordable (not low-income) apartments, at 17 Rice Road in Millbury, Massachusetts.