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State-funded South Main Street plan will remove and replant trees, repair drainage; council seeks schedule and coordination
Summary
The state’s South Main Street improvement design includes removal of about 32 trees, replacement plantings and targeted drainage repairs; councilors asked for a public schedule and coordination with utility and paving projects to reduce traffic disruption.
The council reviewed the state-funded South Main Street improvement plans, which include curb, sidewalk and tree work along the corridor. Project drawings provided to the council show roughly 32 trees slated for removal and 64 replacement plantings; the design also calls for spot drainage repairs and new crosswalk beacons at two intersections.
Public‑works staff said the project team will replace existing curb/sidewalk material "as‑is" (granite where it is currently granite, concrete in other sections) and that asking the state to change materials across the whole project would raise costs substantially and risk project cancellation. The council expressed concern about coordination with other nearby projects, including Market Street repaving and planned utility work, and asked the manager to press for a clear work schedule and advance notices so local businesses and residents can plan.
Tree removal will be among the first steps, public‑works staff said, and officials said they will provide large‑format plan sets and schedule updates for council review. The town’s tree commission will be consulted about species selections and where town‑planted trees might be supplemented on private property.
Ending: Council members requested the manager obtain a definitive start date and a sequencing plan from the state contractor before work begins so the town can coordinate traffic, utility and business impacts.
