GILL — A developer is proposing to build a convenience store not far from what are thought to be Native American burial grounds on Route 2, leaving some residents wondering what precautions will be taken to prevent disturbing any artifacts that might be buried there.
There is evidence of archaeological deposits dating back up to 9,000 years in Riverside, a residential area in Gill near the proposed project, said Peter Thomas, an archaeologist who worked as a supervisor in the excavation of artifacts in Riverside for the Massachusetts Archaeology Society chapter in Greenfield.
Developers said that they are aware of the potential historical significance of the land and have contacted the Massachusetts Archaeological Commission and are now waiting to hear how to proceed, said property owner Tom Frawley, president of Summit Distributing, a petroleum distribution company based out of Lebanon, N.H.
“This area has been occupied by Native Americans for over 10,000 years. There would be a number of tribes that would be interested in any disturbing of the soil,” said Gill resident Claire Chang at a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting last week. She asked the board and the developers to investigate how these lands were used, whether it was for hunting or fishing. The general area around the Turners Falls-Gill Bridge was used in pre-Colonial times by natives, especially for spring fishing in the Connecticut River.
The area around Barton Cove was so important to Indian tribes in Vermont, New York, New Hampshire and Massachusetts that it was declared a truce area. Tribes that were at war agreed to camp there during the shad run season without quarreling. The highway known as the Mohawk Trail (Route 2), which runs from Boston to North Adams, is situated roughly along the old trails used by Indians moving to and from Barton Cove.
Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals are doing a site walk this week on the property, currently a gas station, across the street from the Turners Falls-Gill Bridge before an upcoming public hearing on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Town Hall to discuss whether the plan fits with the neighborhood. The board could make a final decision on the project.
Thomas said since the ’70s, Native American spearheads, hatchets and stone axes have been discovered in the area, as well as thousands of flakes from making stone tools. If there are archaeological deposits in the land, they would be in the first 4 feet, Thomas said.
The project would include removing soil to level the property, which would bring down a hill on the land by 6 to 7 feet before building a 4,000-square-foot convenience store and rebuilding the gas station.
The property owner felt the project would help bring in more income and take advantage of the traffic on this major four-way intersection. A new canopy for the six gas pumps would also be built.
The convenience store would be constructed to fit into the New England landscape and would resemble a barn or a mill building. A decorative water wheel would face Route 2.
The project would replace an “eyesore” that is past its useful life, Frawley said. “I think it creates a much better corner of the town that is there today. Although we don’t all like to buy gasoline, we all need to.”
The project also includes plans for a new 20-foot sign, set back 10 feet from the property line, with internally illuminated LED screens to display fuel prices. The new sign would replace the existing sign that is about 12 to 15 feet high.
The design is inspired by the mills that have dotted the river valley up and down the Connecticut River, Frawley said at a ZBA hearing last week. “We think this will be the best looking convince store anywhere in the area.”
The property owners do not plan on selling alcohol, and only hope to attract “grab-and-go” customers. They expect store business to account for about 66 percent of profits at the location that will continue selling gasoline, Frawley said. Adding the store, he said, would increase the longevity of the gas station business already in place.
ZBA members expressed concerns about increasing the traffic at an already busy intersection.
“Traffic has been an issue at that intersection for a long time,” said Suzanne Smiley, chair of the zoning board “At a traffic intersection where there is traffic going all four ways, we really need to be careful.”
Board members also expressed concerns about pedestrian traffic from the neighborhood and people walking across the bridge from Turners Falls.
“My concern is that this will be the nearest place in Riverside for people to buy stuff,” said Tupper Brown. “I would worry a lot about pedestrian traffic trying to get across Route 2.”
The developers said that they might consider investigating options, like installing a sidewalk, to increase the safety of pedestrians trying to access the store.
The number of gas pumps would also be increased from four to six two-sided pumps, potentially increasing traffic. There would also be a space for diesel vehicles, although the property owners don’t expect the station will attract 18-wheelers, Frawley said.
There would be 27 parking spaces, but no spots that would accommodate tractor-trailers.
Neon signs would not be allowed in the windows and the store would not be open 24 hours, said project manager Huseyin Sevincgil.
Chang, a member of the Gill Energy Commission and the Finance Committee, asked that the developers consider installing solar panels on the store roof. They said this is not something they are currently considering.
Those who cannot attend the public hearing may submit written comments to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
You can reach Lisa Spear at:
lspear@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 280