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Residents press council on Route 51 and West Washington projects; council tables further action and asks staff to gather public comments
Summary
Residents and council members raised concerns about the Route 51/Summit Point proposal and West Washington Street improvements, questioning the need for a large roundabout and potential property impacts; council tabled the item for more information and asked staff to collect portal comments and return at a future meeting.
Residents and property owners spoke to the council about the Department of Highways Route 51/Summit Point and West Washington Street projects, saying public meetings lacked accessible materials and asserting that certain design options — notably a large roundabout — would take private property and not benefit Charlestown merchants.
Julianne Berry Rice, representing the Perry family, said she spoke with DOH representatives and remains concerned about the scale of the preferred alternative and its impact on private property, the historic stone wall on her land and neighborhood access. Rice asked whether the council could take a formal "no‑build" stance or ask for less invasive alternatives such as traffic signals.
Council members debated options, including pursuing stronger letters, asking staff to collect written public comments submitted through the city portal, and returning the matter with additional information. One member noted DOH materials included a written‑comment deadline of Sept. 3 and that the council could consolidate and forward resident submissions.
The council voted to table detailed action and return the item to the agenda for further review at the Sept. 2 meeting. Separately, the council asked staff to prepare options regarding the Thompson Ford vacant building (referral to staff to evaluate enforcement or demolition options) and requested a staff report and possible plan back to council within about 30 days.
Next steps: staff will compile public portal comments, schedule the Route 51 discussion for a future meeting (Sept. 2), and prepare a staff plan for Thompson Ford for council review.
