Last month First Selectwoman Maryann Drayton-Rogers, along with police and fire personnel, toured the Route 188 area known as Schreiber’s corner and didn’t like what they saw.
Drayton-Rogers said newly installed utility poles were too close to the road at the corner and they all thought they should be moved. She said the poles were near a driveway and not in the best location.
Town officials quickly contacted the state Department of Transportation and Connecticut Light & Power company about their concerns. They sat down at a meeting and all parties agreed to move the poles.
“It just came down to a matter of safety,’’ Drayton-Rogers said Tuesday as work crews dug up the poles and prepared to move them across the road. “I feel really good that we brought it to everyone’s attention because safety is paramount,’’ she said.
The pole removal work is expected to be completed by Wednesday, town officials said.
The state DOT is spending $638,072 to widen the road, soften the curve and relocate utilities on Route 188 near Schreiber’s Farm.
The project is being done by Dayton Construction Inc., of Watertown. It started last fall and is expected to be completed this month, said Drayton-Rogers.
Also new rails, fences, curbs, signs, new drainage and plantings will be placed in the area that had been the site of numerous accidents and fatalities in the past.
Fire Chief Scott Pelletier said the poles had to be moved because they were in the line of sight of motorists driving on Route 188, which is a scenic, winding road with farms and large residential homes.
“There’s still a corner on the road and the poles were straight ahead of motorists,’’ he said. “The removal of the poles to another location takes away a safety hazard and the town will be better served and motorists will be safer once they are moved,’’ said Pelletier.
Mitch Gross, spokesperson for Connecticut Light & Power said they work closely with every city and town they provide service to, when doing projects such as this.
“Safety is issue number one with us and we’re pleased we able to help the town in a quick fashion,’’ said Gross.
