July 25, 2014

PUBLIC NOTICE

Paving work on a section of Western Avenue is tentatively scheduled for the third week of August. A contract with The Lane Construction Corp was approved by the Selectboard last Tuesday. The State has agreed to reimburse the Town for work on this class 1 road up to $150,000.

The area we are working on begins near Brattle Street, west to Edward Heights. Only the traveled portion of Western Avenue from white fog line to white fog line is being resurfaced. First a milling machine will remove ¾ inch of existing asphalt along each fog line, tapering to 0 at six feet in. Then this area is resurfaced at an average depth of ¾ inch, raising the center line depth and matching flush at the fog lines.

It has been reported elsewhere that the Selectboard will do prospective skatepark site visits on Monday Aug 4th, from 5:30 to 7. They’ll be going from Elm St to Crowell, then Living Memorial Park.  It was requested that skaters attend to provide input. I am unable to attend, so I’m providing my feedback here. I’ve been thinking about this—again—lately, confounded whether to shut up, or push through to the end, come what may.

It seems to me for a fully informed view, the Selectboard has the opportunity to see three skateparks, all within an hour, that show a working model of each of the current options on the table. Keene, Northampton, Fitchburg. Respectively: a steel and steely downtown park, a new concrete plaza in a green space adjacent to homes, and a varied terrain multi-featured skate facility within the town’s mixed-use recreation center, also set in a residential neighborhood. But I don’t expect these visits to happen. And besides they only provide a snapshot of what goes on in the moment. Skatepark energies and usage vary like New England weather.

Calling all area residents!! Get your creative thinking caps on. The future of Melrose Terrace needs some attention and it is starting with you.

As we all know, Melrose Terrace in West Brattleboro was severely impacted by Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. Right after the Storm, BHA’s Commissioners pledged to repair Melrose so its residents had a place to live while BHA worked on creating new housing so that these residents would no longer be in a floodway. Plans are under way to construct a new 55 unit facility to be ready in January 2016. Plans will also be developed to move the other 25 units, the Brattleboro Housing Authority offices and maintenance building by 2018 at the latest.

A portion of Green Street will be closed on Monday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 23, 2014 for the demolition of a building located at 72 Green Street that was destroyed by fire last winter. The closure is as follows:

• Green Street from the intersections of Church Street to Bullock Street will be closed Monday, July 21 – Wednesday, July 23 from 6:30am – 4:30pm. No through traffic will be allowed.

• Traffic from High Street onto Bullock Street will be permitted to turn right onto Green Street. No left-hand turns will be allowed.

• The sidewalk on the north side of Green Street will remain open for pedestrian use.

A portion of Green Street will be closed on Monday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 23, 2014 for the demolition of a building located at 72 Green Street that was destroyed by fire last winter. The closure is as follows:

• Green Street from the intersections of Church Street to Bullock Street will be closed Monday, July 21 – Wednesday, July 23 from 6:30am – 4:30pm. No through traffic will be allowed.

• Traffic from High Street onto Bullock Street will be permitted to turn right onto Green Street. No left-hand turns will be allowed.

I-91

Northbound I-91 traffic has been relocated onto the southbound bridge. Traffic will remain reduced to one lane in each direction on I-91 until completion of the new bridge.

Route 30

The speed limit on Route 30 near the work zone has been reduced to 40 mph. This reduction will remain in effect through the Spring of 2016. Project-related truck activity on Route 30 will continue. Route 30 will be reduced to a single lane intermittently both day and night, with flaggers regulating traffic within the work zone.