Eversource Adjusts Plan For Noisy Greenwich Avenue Work After Complaints

GREENWICH, CT — After receiving feedback and complaints from residents, Eversource indicated it will adjust a plan that's expected to bring noisy construction and lane closures to Greenwich Avenue.

Officials from Eversource and AJ Penna & Son Construction went before the Greenwich Board of Selectmen on March 27 for a "second read" of a request for a road closure that would facilitate the digging of "test pits" along Greenwich Avenue from Grigg Street to the intersection of Bruce Park Avenue and Railroad Avenue.

Documents submitted to the town show that 41 test pits are planned to be dug out, each measuring two feet by two feet. Bob Handler from Eversource told the board on March 10 that the test pits are needed to locate existing facilities so crews can come up with a plan to install a new "duct bank," which would be part of phase two of the project.

During the March 10 meeting, First Selectman Fred Camillo asked, "What are we thinking about as far as what to expect for noise?"

"Loud noise," Handler responded.

Last week, Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan said the town received an email from a Greenwich Avenue resident who said "they're not going to have a restful night of sleep for an extended amount of time" as a result of the project.

A start date and work hours for the project have yet to be decided, although at the March 10 meeting, Handler and Vento said work could be performed from about 9-10 p.m. through the morning until 8-9 a.m.

Vento previously indicated it would take around three to four weeks for the test pit work, after which the duct bank could be installed. If the project were to begin in April, it could be wrapped up some time in June.

"Are we scheduling this work at night simply so we don't disrupt business and traffic during the day, or is it a must-do at night because we'd have to close off the street altogether?" Stone McGuigan asked.

Handler said only one lane closure is requested, so "it's not a must-do at night."

He suggested possibly tweaking hours of the project and doing day work if it would help a certain area along the Avenue.

Additionally, Handler said Eversource wants to begin the project more toward the middle of the area near where all the restaurants are, and work outward so as to not clash with the beginning of outdoor dining season which begins May 26.

The selectmen did not take any action and will garner more feedback. Project officials are expected at the next scheduled meeting in about two weeks.

Outreach to the community near the project area will continue, and Camillo said the town can always make adjustments for the project to minimize impact to residents and businesses. But Camillo acknowledged there is no perfect solution.

"No matter what we do here, we're going to get complaints. We'll make a decision, we're not going to keep fumbling over this for several weeks," Camillo said. "We don't want to slow this project down. We want it to get done."