Sidewalks Considered for Orchard Road Project in Dalton
DALTON, Mass.—The town is considering including sidewalks in the reconstruction of Orchard Road.
Selectmen John Boyle announced during the Select Board meeting on Monday that the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) may have grant funding available to fund sidewalks on Orchard Road.
Boyle, the town's representative on the MPO, said the town can apply for Complete Streets funding through the MPO.
To be considered, the town has to submit an application before April 1. If the town is approved the money will be available in the summer.
DPW Superintendent Bud Hall and Town Manager Tom Hutcheson will be working on applying for the grant.
In addition to this grant funding, the town can also use blacktop to create the sidewalks instead of concrete to keep the costs down, Boyle said.
The town has also discussed sidewalk repairs with residents before the last town meeting where it was approved to add $10,000 to the sidewalk repair budget.
The road is used by some students who attend Wahconah Regional High School. The Select Board said during a September meeting that the town should first focus its repairs on sidewalks near the schools to improve student safety in high-traffic areas. More information on sidewalks can be found here.
"I didn't even realize it myself but there are six feeder streets that go into Orchard Road. And they serve all the students in that northeast section of town that walk to [Nessacus Regional Middle School] and [Wahconah Regional High School]," Boyle said.
"I think it's really important and from a handicap point of view, you know we have a lot of interest there from various residents."
Despite interest from residents and officials, installing sidewalks on Orchard Road was originally deemed not feasible, this grant would change that.
The project was delayed for many years due to lack of funding. Over the years, the town applied for grants but was not approved. A few years ago, the town allocated funds for the project, which was utilized to complete the project's engineering and design. They are finalizing the designs now.
The town was approved for a state MassWorks grant of $1 million so it can address the street's drainage issues. Addressing the street's drainage issues will utilize all of the funding received from this grant.
The drainage project will be from Pease Avenue to the bridge. The blacktop on the other side of the road, near Wahconah Country Club, and from the Massachusetts Public Works building to Route 9 will also be replaced.
During the meeting on Monday, the Select Board voted to add a letter to Hall's personnel file, praising him for his efforts in securing a grant.
