DALTON, Mass. — The Traffic Commission approved the renewal of Nichols Sand and Gravel's special permit for earth removal. 

 

The company, located at 190 Cleveland Road, operates a gravel pit there. 

 

The hours of operation will remain 7 to 4 p.m. The commission approved owner Paul Nichols' request to allow his trucks to depart the property in either direction. 

 

Nichols has to apply for renewal of the special permit every year. 

 

The previous permit required the truck to exit the property to the right. Former residents requested this stipulation nearly 16 years ago to reduce the number of trucks using the residential street to avoid disturbing the quality of life and neighborhood. 

 

Since then those residents have relocated and there have not been any other objections to the change, Traffic Commission Chair William Drosehn said. 

 

Traffic in the area is going to be the same as there are the same amount of trucks, Nichols said. The only difference is that the traffic will be dispersed. 

 

The only concern is that the road is narrow and Drosehn questioned whether this would be an issue for emergency personnel. Nichols said the street meets state specifications of 22 feet. 

 

No objections were raised by Commissioners Camillus Cachat Jr., Adelard Nadeau, Highway Superintendent Edward "Bud" Hall, Fire Chief Christian Tobin or Drosehn. 

 

The commission also is organizing a list of Complete Street projects to demonstrate which ones have the highest priority. These projects include sidewalk installations and repairs, pedestrian lighting, bike racks, transit shelters, and more.