CHESHIRE, Mass. — The town will apply for state funds to extend the sidewalk on Wells Road from Flaherty Road to Dublin Road.
Highway Superintendent Blair Crane recommended to the Selectmen last week that the town apply for state Complete Streets funding to extend the sidewalk on Wells Road to Pine Valley Mobile Home Park.
"I think this is the best bang for our buck for the community and with the amount of people that live down there I would consider this the best option," Crane said. "There are a lot of kids down there that walk to the bus stop and this is the way I would lean."
The town recently applied for Complete Streets funding through the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission to make improvements to Rail Road and Depot streets but did not receive any funding.
Town Administrator Mark Webber said the town could apply again but has to pick a different project.
"They are willing to submit another Complete Street application for a different project," he said. "The assumption is that resubmitting the same project won't make it this time either so we have to pick a different project from our list … it may not be the one you want but it has to fit their purpose."
Crane said the project is likely to cost around $200,000 and the town will have to pay for engineering.
Webber said engineering for sidewalks is typically much less involved.
"We are on the hook for engineering so this is not totally free but engineering for sidewalks is pretty straightforward," he said.
Crane said his second choice would to improve various sidewalks throughout town and make them compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act but the Selectmen felt the Wells Road sidewalk would be most beneficial to the town.
"I rather go for Wells," Selectwoman Carol Francesconi said. "I think a lot of walking distance in town would be covered … and at the end of the day, I think this is what the community needs most."
Crane noted that the project may get a little hairy near the bridge. He said it would be impossible to put a sidewalk on the narrow bridge and a second pedestrian bridge may be the best solution.
In other business, Crane said he is aware of road issues on Outlook Avenue and his crew will get to it.
"It definitely needs work like many places in town, and it comes down to time and weather," he said. "We need to have the labor to do it and the stars need to align but we know about it."
He added that he plans to start fall paving during the last week of September and striping the following week first week in October, weather permitting.
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Cheshire Tag Sale and Bazaar
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Cheshire Community Association (CCA) announced the return of the Cheshire Community Tag Sale and Bazaar for its second year.
Scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 9 AM to 1 PM, the event offers a day of treasure hunting, local craftsmanship, and treats at the Cheshire Community House located at 191 Church St, Cheshire.
Attendees can explore a variety of offerings, including handmade crafts, antiques, collectibles, and food options. The hot food truck, operated by the Berkshire Lodge of Masons AF & AM, will be stationed in the courtyard, serving up treats throughout the event.
One of the highlights of this year's event is the fundraising raffle, with all proceeds set to benefit the Cheshire Food Pantry. Participants can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes, supporting a worthy cause that serves the local community.
Registration for vendors interested in participating in the bazaar is currently open, with fees ranging from $10 to $30. Cheshire residents looking to showcase their items from home can have their locations advertised on the event map for a fee of $10. The deadline for registration is set for Friday, April 26, 2024.
Registration forms can be obtained from various locations across Cheshire, including A to Z Printing, Cheshire Community House, Cheshire Library, Cheshire Glassworks, Cheshire Senior Center, the Cheshire Community Association Facebook page, and the Cheshire Town website.
For more information about the event, including vendor registration and sponsorship opportunities, interested parties are encouraged to contact Jenny Gadbois at (413) 841-0844 or via email at jlgadbois@icloud.com.
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