To the Editor:

I have attended the Zoning and Planning Board meetings for the proposed Walmart relocation to West Wareham. I would like to first take the opportunity to thank the members of these boards for their efforts, time, and talents to ensure that this is a project that is good for Wareham. Thank you for asking your questions and digging into the nitty-gritty facts for all facets of this project.

Secondly, I would like to clarify any misconceptions as to my stand on the new Walmart. I am neither for nor against this project. My concerns have been and will continue to be about the traffic and public safety for the residents at Great Hill Estates.

Other concerns about this project have been raised, but what is needed is for the public to attend these meetings, listen, and ask questions. Now is the time for this to happen.

On August 2, the joint boards met to discuss the recent traffic study and peer review of the same study. Input for these studies was dated April 2011, November 2004, May 26, 2011, March and October 2010. Wareham Crossing counts from 2003 and 2004 were also used.

Please note that NONE of these studies were done during the influx in population for our summer season when the population is reportedly double. The recommendation of the peer review was to take additional counts during August when traffic volume is increased. The calculations were done during the weekday from 4-6 p.m. and Saturday from 12-2 p.m. These are the standards for “peak hours." A significant difference in the number of vehicles per hour was reported when comparing the Walmart 2010 figures and the Wareham Crossing 2004 figures. Of note here is that the Wareham Crossing figures were pre-construction, yet were higher than the 2010 figures of the Walmart study. Hmmmm.

Another recommendation of this study was to wait until 6 to 12 months after the project is up and running to do another traffic study during the summer months. If it has already been established that there are observable traffic conditions warranting mitigation, why would citizens of Wareham want to put off having these issues addressed? Do the rest of the research and study now. If traffic and safety are a known issue, why prolong doing something about it for a year, study it again, propose mitigation, and then wait additional time for it to mitigated and most likely debate whose responsibility or portion of the responsibility it is to fix it?

The "Level of Service" was another integral part of the traffic study. The intersections of Main Street and Tremont Street and the intersection of Charlotte Furnace Road and Route 28 were both rated “F." The intersections of Tobey Road, Tow Road, and Route 28 received scores of "C," "D," "E," and "F." Don’t you think the problems with traffic have been identified? Should we be concerned that these poor scores are this bad during non-summer months?

Throughout the study, figures were compiled when using the “peak hours." Residents at the meeting were told that this is “the standard” when doing traffic studies. I guess public safety only matters during the weekday hours of 4 to 6 p.m. and 12 to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

As a resident of Great Hill Estates, I attended each meeting and voiced my concerns about the traffic and proximity of this over-55 community to the proposed Walmart entrance on Route 28.

Once again, I raised the issue on August 2. When I asked the Walmart representative, who spoke about the traffic study, if he could tell me how far the entrance to Walmart would be from the entrance to the Great Hill Estates, he didn’t know. Why not? Haven’t you been listening to the residents who have been speaking at these meetings? Didn’t you hear our concerns?

In fact, the distance from the entrance of Walmart to the entrance to Great Hill Estates is approximately 350-400 feet. The traffic study cited that the traffic could be backed up on the southbound side of Route 28 for 700 feet.  This would mean that the traffic would be stopped across from the Great Hill entrance and extend 350-400 feet. Residents would be unable to make a left turn.

The representative said that they had done a count of the cars entering and exiting and it was only 25.  To have a light at the entrance would require 100 cars per hour. When asked when this was done, he replied that it would have been during the “peak hours” of 4-6 p.m. Hmmmm, most over-55 folks are having dinner at this time. Once again, I guess our safety for the other 22 hours a day doesn’t meet the “standard,” so it isn’t really a risk.

At her last meeting on the Board of Selectmen, Selectman Brenda Eckstrom listened to the Walmart representatives report their progress for the proposed project. Her final comments to these representatives were to not merely consider the “standard” but rather to do what’s best and right for Wareham.  She challenged them by saying, “Can you do that for Wareham?” Well, Mrs. Eckstrom, thank you for making that point. I’d like to take it one step further.

A recent letter to the editor by a Wareham resident stated that Walmart is a good neighbor. Here is my challenge to Walmart: Can you be a good neighbor and resolve the traffic and safety issues prior to construction completion? Can you be a good neighbor and make the “standard” what is in the best interest of Wareham? Can you consider my safety and that of the other 225 homes at Great Hill Estates more than what the standard peak hours tells you? Are you listening? Just sayin’.

Sheila Monaghan

Pineview Terrace

West Wareham, MA