A representative from Eversource, Bob Handler, along with Andrew Vento from AJ Penna Construction requested temporary lane closures on Greenwich Ave for phase 1 of a project involving digging test pits at the bottom of Greenwich Ave from Grigg to Railroad Ave.
Each test pit location will be an approximate two-foot by two-foot excavation and Eversource would like the work to begin in April.
They propose 41 test pits. *see below for locations
The purpose of the test pits is to locate existing obstacles prior to making an exact plan to install ductwork in phase 2 of the project.
Handler and Vento said they hoped to start test pit work in a couple weeks and anticipated 3-4 weeks to complete.
Mr. Vento said phase 2, installing an electrical duct from Grigg to Railroad/Bruce Park Ave – depending on what obstacles the test pits reveal – could take about six weeks.
There was no discussion about where construction equipment would be stored. Last year there was a conversation and agreement about parking heavy equipment at the end of Old Track Road. But then residents in that neighborhood complained about noise.
The backstory is that Eversource’s wires today circumvent a congested manhole that they originally hoped to expand. The current proposal for test pits and ductwork is an alternative to that plan.
Mr. Handler explained the existing manhole has too many wires in it.
“For worker safety and in case of a failure that would have a catastrophic effect in that location, we are having several of our wires circumvent this manhole and go around it so we don’t the congestion in that manhole,” he said.
Camillo noted that the major project called “Greenwich Crossing” at the train station and along Railroad Ave to Steamboat was underway.
“I don’t know if they’ll be there at night, so it might work out well, but you might cross each other’s paths,” Camillo said.
“We’d like to have long nights to get as much done as we can,” Handler said. “To shorten the whole duration, the earlier we can start in the evening, and work until 8:00 or 9:00 in the morning would be our night, so that we could get more work done.”
Last year the Board of Selectmen assumed responsibility for the town’s noise ordinance, where previously it was under the purview of the Health Dept.
Mr. Handler said the noise would be “loud,” emanating from an excavator and vacuum truck. Mr. Vento said the vacuum truck noise would be similar to the noise made by trucks for leaf removal.
Aquarion water main replacement night work on Greenwich Ave. March 14, 2024
A year ago, when Aquarion asked for an extension of night work on Greenwich Avenue, residents complained to the Selectmen about unbearable noise and lights.
“Unless you’re living there and seeing what’s going on at night, you can’t even comprehend what we’re going through,” said Theresa Santos, Greenwich Ave resident at the time.
Aquarion said they had plans to replace all the aging water infrastructure under Greenwich Ave, from Rte 1 to Railroad Ave, but due to time constraints for work, they identified the most risk-prone areas to prioritize.
While Eversource seek work hours on weeknights – Sunday through Thursday or Monday through Friday – from 9:00pm to 9:00am, Mr. Handler recalled that Aquarion’s waterline work last year ran from 10:00pm to 10:00am.
Camillo said that in June or July windows are open and “people will be going crazy.”
Mr. Handler said they had not done outreach to neighbors yet because they were waiting for permits.
“Then we’ll have an outreach person at least go to through the commercials there. And also the residents of each building we’ll talk to, to know our intention before we start,” he said. We’ll try to do that closer to the start date so people know we’re coming the next week and have a definite time frame.”
“That would be critical that they are aware,” Stone McGuigan said.
Hanbdler said phase 2 would be “right on the heels” of phase 1.
Lauren Rabin asked if phase 1 and 2 would overlap with outdoor dining season, which the selectmen previously during the meeting voted on to run from May 23 through October 19.
“You may get some pushback from the restaurants on that,” Camillo said. “But they’re not going to be serving food at 10:30 at night.”
Stone McGuigan noted that since the item was a first read, and with a second read in two weeks, the project would be pushed into April.
Camillo asked the applicant to begin outreach to commercial businesses and residents prior to the second read to give time for feedback before approval.
The next Selectmen meeting is March 27 at 10:00am in person and via Zoom.
Information on how to contact the Selectmen here.
See also:
Oct 2024
Locations of 41 tests pits (indicated TP-#)proposed by Eversource on March 10, 2025
