The rumors have been rampant for months: Walmart was going to move from Cranberry Highway in East Wareham to a location off Tobey Road behind Wareham Crossing. The rumors were confirmed Tuesday after preliminary plans for the new store were presented to the Board of Selectmen.

Walmart representatives will meet with the Planning Board on Monday to discuss the plans for the 152,124 square-foot location, said Edward Angley, a lawyer for the Walmart.

Angley said he didn't feel it was proper to begin the permitting process without first making an informal presentation to the Board of Selectmen, which would likely have to answer questions from constituents about the move. He stressed that the plans are basic, with details still needing to be confirmed.

"I think it's a great plan," said Selectman Steve Holmes. "We've been hearing about it for awhile."

Current store employees would be offered positions at the new location, which would also create approximately 90 additional jobs, Angley said. The larger store would feature a greater selection of grocery items, including a deli.

According to an official press release, the relocated store will feature a softer color scheme, wider aisles, wood flooring, and in-store signage to assist shoppers in easily locating merchandise.  The store’s expanded grocery section will feature a delicatessen, bakery, dry and frozen goods, meat and dairy departments, and fresh produce alongside over 30 departments of general merchandise.

Though happy about the proposed new development and increased tax revenue that it would bring, the Selectmen expressed concern about how it would effect traffic between Tobey Road to Main Street.

Roads would be widened, with dedicated turn-lanes for the site, engineer John Kucich noted. But Board of Selectmen Chair Jane Donahue worried that those changes might not be enough.

"That intersection by the American Legion Post is going to have to be addressed," Donahue said, adding that a traffic light may be needed. "It's already a problem because of the [Wareham Crossing] mall traffic."

Kucich's desire for the site to tie into the town sewer also raised concerns. Donahue said that the developers may need to look into other methods of wastewater treatment for the site. Concerns about the sewer plant have been growing in recent weeks, as it is currently unclear how soon the plant will reach its capacity and when the town will have to complete necessary upgrades in response to increased sewering.

Selectman Brenda Eckstrom said she could appreciate the excitement about the development, but was concerned about another store closing in East Wareham, which currently has vacancies in the former Staples, T.J. Maxx, and Payless Shoe Source, locations, which moved to Wareham Crossing.

"It looks very nice for what it is, but I am just concerned for the void it will leave on the other side of town, and [for] our [sewer] capacity issues," Eckstrom said. "I hope it works out."

If green-lighted, Kucich estimated that construction would take about 18 months.