19 November, 2010
Two new committees, the Downtown Initiative Steering Committee and the Town Buildings Study Committee have been established by Town Manager Norman Khumalo to aid with the planning and ultimate completion of improvements to the downtown area.
The Downtown Initiative Steering Committee (DISC), created by Khumalo in September, is charged to act as advisors to the Town Manager in the planning and implementation of the Downtown Initiative project. It is comprised of six members appointed by the Town Manager; a representative from the Downtown Revitalization Committee, Land Use Board/Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission, Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce, local business owner and a resident. The committee will monitor and review the status of the project, including offering guidance and recommendations, but will not be directly responsible for the Downtown Initiative project activities.
The Downtown Initiative project is being managed by Town Engineer Dave Daltorio and includes the development of roadway, traffic and related improvements along Main Street (Route 135), from a point west of Wood Street, to a point east of Ash Street. As outlined in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for design work, the project “will generally include the upgrade or modification of existing traffic signals, possible new signal(s), geometric modifications, additional lanes, possible narrowing of some roadway sections, rehabilitation/construction of roadway pavement, alignment/curb-line modifications to provide a proper cross section, construction/reconstruction of sidewalks and wheelchair ramps, installation of curbing, as well as improvements to stormwater facilities.
In addition to improvements to the roadway, the Downtown Initiative also encompasses streetscape enhancements, new period street lighting, sidewalks and a feasibility study for burying or relocating the overhead utility lines.
Funding for the design of the project was approved at Town Meeting in May. Voters approved $400,000 for the design of the project. According to Daltorio, the plan is to have the actual construction funded by MassDOT through the State Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Although not a funded project at this time, the project is included in the Universe of Projects in the TIP and is going through the required steps for approval.
“MassDOT has reviewed and recommended the project,” said Daltorio in a phone interview. “The RFQ’s are due on November 19 and we’ll probably select a design firm in about three weeks.”
According to Daltorio, projects included in the Universe of Projects change all the time. Although currently not funded, there is hope that that may change in the future. Daltorio cited Milford as an example of a local town that was recently able to obtain funding for a project.
There is also potential for additional funding applied for through Congressman McGovern’s office. Back in March of 2010, the town submitted a request for a FY2011 Non-Defense Appropriation for both the Downtown Initiative and the Legacy Farms Road. According to Daltorio, $1.75 million has been earmarked for the project.
The second new committee, the Town Buildings Study Group, is being headed up by Director of Land Use, Permitting and Planning, Elaine Lazarus who says the committee is focused on determining municipal space needs and looking at the continued use of Center School, Town Hall and the Library buildings so that people can have information when it comes time to make decisions over the next few years.
The membership of the study group was established by the Board of Selectmen and includes all members of the Permanent Building Committee. The combined group held their first meeting on Thursday, November 18th.
According to Lazarus, the focus of the committee will change slightly from its initial charge due to the recent changes to the library expansion plans.
“I will be writing up the re-focused charge/committee outline for their review at the next meeting on December 2,” said Lazarus, “and an update for the Board of Selectmen.”
