By Richard Kaufman
Sentinel Reporter
The Greenwich Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss the proposed closure of the River Road Extension between Valley Road and East Putnam Avenue with Eversource Energy, local business owners and residents.
Eversource identified an emergency need to replace the existing transformer at the Mianus distribution substation in order to provide reliable electric service to the surrounding area, especially during peak summer loads.
The board granted approval for the plans contingent upon the submission of updated documents regarding a more detailed detour route and coordination on whether or not the closure area will affect bus routes, stops and if there will be children walking to bus stops.
Also, for work that will begin early on weekends or overnight, a noise ordinance variance will be required from Environmental Health. Advanced notice signs to let motorists and residents know of the impending closures and transformer work will also be needed. The signs will likely be produced on Friday and installed over the weekend.
Eversource expects to submit these documents to the board by the case of business on Thursday.
Tracey Alston, Communications Relations Specialist for Eversource, said there have been continuous problems with the failing transformer in the past.
“We’ve had quite a few instances with that transformer and due to the age of that transformer, [Eversource] is concerned with the upcoming weather that it’s not going to be resilient to be able to sustain through the summer,” Alston said.
Work to replace the transformer will begin in mid-April and stretch into May, according to Alston. Eversource said that work is scheduled to be completed by May 27, but could be completed earlier.
Full road closures will be required on April 18 when the new transformer will be transported from Hartford, April 24-26 when the transition of transformers will take place, and May 4-5 to accommodate the drainage and installation of oil, which will require 24 hour maintenance. A full-time police presence is requested during that timeframe.
The above dates are subject to change depending on things such as weather, delays with switching the transformer out of service, and delivery schedules.
Periodic, temporary road closures to accommodate things such as trucks coming in and out of the work zone are requested between April 27 to May 27 for through traffic. Local traffic, residents and business owners will be able to maneuver the area with the assistance of an on-site police officer. Eversource also requested the ability to work on Sunday, May 7 to help mitigate any potential delays that would hinder the oil installation process.
Domenick Delfino, owner of Joey B’s Restaurant which is located at 118 River Rd Ext., is concerned about how the closures will affect his business. “As a small business owner, it hurts,” he told the board at the meeting, noting that traffic problems might hinder his patrons.
Eversource said that they plan on contacting all business owners on River Rd. Ext., through door-to-door outreach and phone calls in order to keep them informed of the operation and help resolve any concerns.
