City Pays $20K to End Neighborhood Frustration

Neighbors of the Milosh Estates subdivision, located off of Read Street, have been dealing with a myriad of problems with roads in their subdivision for the past eight years.

Now, however, thanks to a vote to provide $20,000 of the City's funds to pay someone to pave the roads in the subdivision, neighbors will have some relief.

Attleboro's own "dream team" took to the podium to plead their "emergency" case in front of the Municipal Council on Tuesday night. Robert Mangiaratti, the City Solicitor, along with City Planner Gary Ayrassian and Department of Public Works Superintendent John Clover, told the council the subdivision has been plagued with problems.

First there were the drainage issues, then the developer did not finish the roads, which caused several potholes leading to "an undesirable situation," according to Mangiaratti.

The developer was sued, a Tri-Party Agreement was created and as a result of the lawsuit the developer sold the property to a new developer. 

"The successor came in and put the project back on track," said Mangiaratti. "We were very pleased with the performance of the second developer who put in new asphalt and sidewalks. However, that is where it ended."

As of today there is no final completion of asphalt. The council had to vote on reaching out to the lender, Dedham Institution for Savings, to release the $251, 782.59 being held; instructing the DPW to put down the final course of pavement and releasing the needed funds to pave the roads.

With winter approaching, the dream team wanted to be sure it drove home the need to finish the roads before the snowfall begins. Without a competed road, it would be a challenge at best to get plows through the subdivision, they said.

"We as a city have enough to keep us busy and are not in the business to roads," said Councilman Brian Kirby. "This is not a usual activity at all," Council President Frank Cook echoed.

Several residents who live in the subdivision including Glen Hanson of 48 Laura Road and Linda Courtemanch of 42 Laura Road said they have been dealing with the hassles of the unfinished roads for the past eight years and are seeking an end to their frustrations.

"This is a public safety issue," said Councilman Peter Blais, who voted in favor of the three measures. "These people deserve to have this road finished."

Councilwoman Shannon Heagney agreed saying: "I know someone who lives there and they are being held hostage in their own neighborhood–I support this."

The 10-member council voted unanimously to pave the road, write a letter for the $250,000 plus being held by the lender and use the city's $20,000 funds (which is expected to be returned to the city) to pay for the paving. If all goes according to plan, the roads could be paved by next week.