Route 4 paving project coming soon

Woodstock Village on a spring-like Wednesday afternoon. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The state process is moving ahead for the extensive Route 4 paving project in Woodstock Village this year — a project that could start as soon as next month.

This was one of the key topics covered at the Village Meeting discussion online Tuesday night. Being held on Zoom due to the pandemic, there were no amendments allowed nor votes taken at the informational meeting. All voting this year is by Australian Ballot, including on such items as the village budget and elected officers. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 16 at town hall. 

As for the Route 4 paving, bids for the project opened on March 5. The exact start date will be determined by the contractor, according to Village Trustee Daphne Lowe. The trustees have urged the state to begin the work no later than May 1, and hopefully in April. The project must conclude by Sept. 24, unless there are weather-related delays. The village portions of Route 12 and Route 106 are also part of the project. 

“The worst part of the project, as far as disruption, will be the grinding, about the first four weeks or so,” said Village Trustees Chair Jeff Kahn. 

Kahn said part of the contract allows for some night work, but they won’t go late into the evening and won’t begin early in the morning. They don’t plan to work on weekends. Lowe said there will be one-lane traffic through the village at times, and some issues with parking. 

“I think they’re going to be as considerate as they can” throughout the process, Lowe said. 

Another big topic for the year has to do with the trucks that use Route 4. Kahn said there’s an effort by some lawmakers to repeal the free overlength truck permits the state has allowed for years, for overlength trucks traveling on Route 4 from Hartford, through Woodstock, and to the Route 100 intersection in Bridgewater. The free permits have kept the number of oversized trucks down in the village, and the village enforces them. If the repeal is successful, Kahn said, it’s estimated Woodstock would see an additional 15,000 53-foot trucks coming through its downtown.

Kahn, Highway Superintendent Ken Vandenburgh and Police Chief Robbie Blish recently met with the Senate Transportation Committee. Kahn said there was a feeling of “jealousy or resentment” toward Woodstock regarding the permits. 

“They don’t see why we should have that special treatment when other towns don’t have that,” he said. 

Kahn disagreed with that sentiment and said reducing the amount of overlength trucks is important for safety in the village and also to sustain the road’s infrastructure over time. He said this matter is not being taken up in the House, but could still make it into Senate legislation. He said Sen. Alison Clarkson, of Woodstock, came up with a compromise if the repeal looks likely. It has to do with two locations involving safety concerns: the hairpin turn at the corner by Maplefields, and the sharp turn at the western end of the Rec Center Bridge.

“The amendment that Sen. Clarkson prepared would at least say that those two corners should be re-engineered and fixed before that permit is repealed,” Kahn said.  

He added, “Hopefully they won’t repeal it, but it doesn’t look good.” 

A question was raised about reducing the current 25 mph speed limit or adding speed bumps if the repeal goes through. However, Blish said those would both be up to the state. By law, police can’t enforce a speed limit under 25 mph, he added. 

As for the main items on the village ballot, voters are considering a village budget of $1,345,829, which includes $578,655 to be raised by taxes. That involves a slight increase over last year. Pointing out changes, Municipal Manager William Kerbin noted the municipal office is spending $9,250 to fix its 15-year-old phone system.

Also on the ballot are three trustees running unopposed for reelection. Kahn is running for a three-year term, William Corson for a two-year seat and Brenda Blakeman for a one-year term. Blakeman and Corson were each appointed to the board last year; Kahn has served multiple terms as a village trustee.

— Gareth Henderson