More than 200 town of Sweden residents turned out to voice their views about the proposed construction of a Wal-Mart Supercenter in their town.

The April 21 meeting, held at the Brockport High School, was for the purpose of compiling questions as they relate to environmental impact issues of the proposed construction. "We're here to determine the scope of the environmental impact and issues that need to be addressed," Planning Board Chairman Craig McAllister said. "We're asking you to identify significant and pertinent issues relating to the environment."

The meeting was another chance for residents to voice their opinions on the proposed construction of the 203,600 square foot supercenter on Route 31 at Talamora Trail. None of the residents who spoke out at the public hearing were in favor of the store's construction.

Former attorney John Shields, a resident of Talamora Trail, said the economic impact that the construction will impose on Brockport has not been addressed. "Changes or modifications to a community's character should be addressed ... it's relevant to the impact of the town," he said. "The eventual erosion of our downtown is an issue that needs to be addressed in this scoping process."

Shields also reported that the Town of Gates, who is home to a Wal-Mart Supercenter, received 1,100 police calls to the Wal-Mart location.

If the proposal gets approval, Wal-Mart officials plan to move from the 98,000 square foot store they operate on Route 19 into the new location. "If Wal-Mart moves out of its present space, others will go soon," Shields said. "If Wal-Mart goes, they will have lost their anchor."

Wal-Mart officials say expansion at the present site is not feasible as it would cost more to expand than to build new and construction would impact the business.

A moratorium on new construction should be imposed, Shields told board members, on new development that is not consistent with the town's comprehensive plan.

Talamora Trail resident Caurie Putnam, a member of Sweden Taxpayers Against Needless Development (STAND), delivered a list of more than 600 signatures of individuals opposed to the proposed construction. She also handed in a list of more than 100 potentially adverse impacts that would arise if the store was constructed. "We would like to see this list of impacts investigated," she said.

STAND's list consisted of noise, light pollution, traffic impacts, and more. "Crime is also a potential negative impact that residents would have to contend with," she said. Snow removal and traffic issues from residents as far away as Sweden Walker Road were raised during the hours-long meeting.

The board urged residents to submit their questions for inclusion in the report. "We will decide what ultimately goes in the report," McAllister said.