GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Greenfield Mayor Ginny Desorgher and Chief of Police Todd Dodge joined the Community Relations Committee for their discussion of the removal of the chess board and benches on Main Street earlier this year.
Mayor Desorgher shared more details on what she has described as a difficult decision in removing the benches and chess board. Desorgher said there was a two and a half month lead up to the decision, while her office received multiple complaints about impediments to the sidewalk access, such as a family struggling to maneuver their stroller around people at the bench area. The Mayor said there were intermediary steps taken such as shutting off the outlet at the benches.
Chief Dodge added that the issues have been going on for a lot longer than two and a half months, with similar previous projects like seating at the Veteran’s Mall on Main Street also experiencing the same drawbacks. Chief Dodge described the motivation behind the decision as recreational activities were taking place on the sidewalk in addition to drug sales and using, fights, and people relieving themselves, which was impeding others’ use of the public space and resulting in approximately 300 service calls per month.
Since the removal of the benches and board, Chief Dodge said service calls to the area have been cut to a third of that figure.
The Community Relations Committee also voted on a positive recommendation to full council on both the Resolution Declaring a Climate Emergency and the Resolution supporting the Northern Tier Passenger Rail project. These resolutions are expected to be voted on at the full City Council meeting on Wednesday, November 20th at 6:30 p.m. in the John Zon Community Center and via Zoom.
The Community Relations Committee will meet again on December 16th at 6 p.m. in City Hall.