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Streetscape
Project nearing completion
By Mike Berger
Citizen Staff
Selectman
Sal Salvatori told his fellow board members Tuesday night that
construction on the Downtown Streetscape Project is on time, and
should be complete, except for paving, by the start of
Homecoming weekend on September 27.
Salvatori,
who is overseeing the project, said he is hoping that the paving
can be completed in October, before the winter sets in, but it
will depend on how quickly the utility companies can complete
their work.
He also said
he has instructed contractors not to park unnecessary
construction or transportation vehicles on Washington Street and
to store any excess materials at the vacant space at 23-25
Neponset Street.
The
streetscape project is now approaching the three-quarter mark,
with work focusing on the Bolivar Street area and Forge Pond.
In other
construction news, Town Administrator Bill Friel informed
selectmen that the town will begin a major new water line in the
High Street, Norfolk, Tolman and Josephine Street area.
Construction will begin sometime in late August and will last
four to five months, with final repaving set for the spring of
2009. Friel said the old water line will not be dug up, but a
new one will be installed to enhance water pressure in the area.
Selectmen
also announced that the town, upon the advice of the DPW and at
the request of residents, will repave the roadway on Sunnybrook,
Willow and Clover lanes. The project will cost $66,500 and will
be paid out of the NSTAR Mitigation Account. The road will be
repaved, but no repairs will be done to the sidewalk. Selectman
Victor Del Vecchio also asked Friel and the DPW to repave
Fairview Road.
In other
news:
• Selectmen
announced that the state will provide to the town a $151,000
payment in lieu of taxes for state property at the Old Canton
Airport and the Mass. Hospital School, although it is still
undetermined whether the state will offer a similar payment for
the Ponkapoag Golf Course. State lawmakers have approved
legislation authorizing the state to lease the golf course with
a first right of refusal to the town. Selectmen Chairman John
Connolly is currently awaiting final rules on the bidding
process, as well as more information regarding the impact to the
town.
• Salvatori
announced that town counsel is expected to approve a new
agreement between the Canton Housing Authority and the Council
on Aging, allowing the COA to use two rooms at the Housing
Authority for some of its programs. Renovation funds were
recently approved at town meeting.
• Friel
reported that contract negotiations between the Cable Advisory
Committee and Comcast are not going well and that selectmen will
hear a report on the negotiations and plans for a new cable
license at their next meeting on August 19.
• Selectmen
approved the transfer of an all alcohol license and common
victualler’s license from Rosario’s Restaurant to Finbarr’s Auld
Irish Pub, which will begin operations in September at 521
Washington Street. Rosario’s had occupied the location for
nearly 60 years before moving to its current location on
Neponset Street.
Selectmen
also:
• appointed
Sue Desjardins to assistant treasurer and collector effective
September 1;
• appointed
Paul Bastable to interim animal control officer until Ellen
Barnett returns from an illness;
• entered
executive session after the meeting to possibly approve
tentative new contracts between the ASCFE employee and the
police officers’ unions;
• reported
that the DPW is looking at possible drainage improvements on New
Boston Drive and Route 138;
• reported
that VHB Traffic Consultants and Friel will announce traffic
calming improvements for the area around Reynolds Street at the
next meeting on August 19;
• announced
that a Farmer’s Market will be held on the grounds of the Mass.
Hospital School on Thursdays from 2 to 6:30 p.m.;
• held a
moment of silence for Father Bernard McLaughlin of St. Gerard
Majella Church, who recently passed away. Connolly described the
late Father as a “wonderful human being.”
August 7, 2008
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