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Pittsfield Councilor Re-files Petition To Ban Trucks On Peck's Road
By Andy McKeever, iBerkshires Staff
10:48AM / Thursday, September 10, 2015
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The City Council tabled the truck ban petition on Tuesday.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Despite approving a truck ban on Peck's Road in 2013, the state still hasn't signed the ban into law.

Some businesses are hoping it is never signed.

Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Simonelli submitted a second petition to ban trucks on Peck's Road from the intersection of Highland Avenue to the Lanesborough border. The council had already approved such a ban in 2012 but state officials never followed through on their end. 
 
"The truck ban was never approved on the state level. There is no truck ban to enforce," Simonelli said.
 
"The purpose of this truck ban was not, and I said this at the time two and a half years ago, intended for the normal delivery."
 
Simonelli's second attempt at implementing a ban came under consideration on Tuesday, this time with the councilor confident state representatives will see it through to the end. However, an array of business owners on Peck's Road voiced opposition.
 
Michael Bianco, who runs a hauling company out of 1110 Churchill St., said the ban will impact his business greatly. Instead of banning truck traffic, he suggested more enforcement of speeding. 
 
"I feel police enforcement will correct these concerns," he told the City Council.
 
He had an array of questions about the ban that he said has gone unanswered. He was joined by about a half dozen other business owners voicing the same concerns.
 
"We have a small business, 10 employees, but my business resides at 405 Pecks Road which is right in the no truck zone," said Trevor Volastro, owner of West Mountain Property Maintenance, who said his entire truck fleet would be barred.
 
Other expressed concern about where trucks would go — particularly residents are afraid Hancock Road will handle the traffic causing a dangerous situation with the section they refer to as "rollercoaster hill." A number of residents said Hancock Road is not fit for truck traffic and otherwise. Traffic will also be diverted down Churchill Street, causing problems on West Street, opponents say.
 
Simonelli, however, said local businesses won't be impacted. He asked to table to petition to meet with concerned businesses and residents to explain the ban. Simonelli says the ban isn't on local traffic but instead to cut down on out-of-state trucks using the road as a short cut.
 
"It was not to hinder any businesses. We want to nurture and hold onto the businesses we have," he said.
 
The council tabled the petition to give Simonelli time to speak with the constituents.
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