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Gardner committee reports $3.5M MassWorks award for South Main Street project; planning continues on downtown and mobility initiatives
Summary
Economic & Community Development committee reported a $3.5 million MassWorks grant awarded for the South/Main Street project, staffing changes in the planning department, CDBG reallocation support for Waterford abatement, and ongoing master plan and mobility work.
At the Economic & Community Development quarterly update Councilor Kosinskas reported department staffing turnover in Community Development and Planning (departure of an assistant director and a conservation planning agent) but said remaining staff are keeping projects moving. The report highlighted that the South side of Main Street project has been awarded and is under contract, backed by a $3,500,000 MassWorks funding grant; project managers are working to resolve property ownership and acquisition for a key parcel before construction can proceed.
Kosinskas described coordination challenges tied to utilities—National Grid and Verizon must finish work before final electrical and pole removal—and said Director Stevens is actively engaged with utility partners. The committee also discussed redirecting $122,000 in CDBG funds to pay for asbestos abatement at the Waterford Street Community Center and noted progress on the North Main Street project’s pavilion, paving and site work. Kosinskas and others underscored preservation work for elements from the Greenwood Memorial Pool that will be included in a future Greenwood Memorial Pavilion project.
