Council approves revision to Belmont/Commonwealth project; planned roundabout removed and damages reduced

The Springfield City Council on Oct. 20 approved an amendment to the order of taking for the Belmont/Commonwealth Avenue improvement project that removes a planned roundabout from the design and reduces previously estimated property damages.

Chris Signoli, director of Public Works, told the council the project initially included a small roundabout and required takings from parcels at the corner (CVS and TD Bank). Because the roundabout and other design changes were removed, the city no longer needs the takings for those parcels; as a result, the damages the city had estimated to pay were reduced by $93,000 from the earlier calculation.

Signoli said the revised plans have been submitted to MassDOT and will be recorded with the registry of deeds. He added that the city began work on portions of the project about a year ago and that the design process has included community outreach; he noted outreach to neighborhood civic associations. Councilors asked whether the removal of the roundabout had been communicated to residents; Signoli said the changes had been presented at community meetings.

Councilors voted to approve the order-of-taking amendment by roll call. Signoli said the affected property owners (CVS and TD Bank interests) are in favor of the revised plan.