By K.B. Sherman, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – Several town officials were on hand to present an update of town public works projects to the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen at its regularly scheduled meeting Jan. 13. At the presentation were Town Engineer Jeffrey W. Howland; Kristen D. Las, principal planner/economic development coordinator; John F. Knipe Jr., highway superintendent; and Robert Tozeski, superintendent of water and sewer.
The town is currently involved in 43 public works projects. Thirty-three are Tier One: projects under active design and construction or projects scheduled for construction within the next 12 months. Ten projects are Tier Two: projects under active study and review which are planned for advancement to Tier One within the next 12 months.
The Burns Bridge replacement is on track to be completed in August 2015. Construction started in August 2012. Main Street (Route 290 to Maple Street) improvement design work has received 25 percent approval and is awaiting a public hearing and 75 percent of drawings are in design. Estimated cost is approximately $4.8 million.
Similarly, resurfacing Boylston Street from Route 290 to the town center is seeking Chapter 90 funds for an estimated $660,000 in costs. Senator Michael O. Moore, D-Millbury, has included funding in a transportation bond bill and is seeking release of funds.
Water and sewer projects, including replacement of main interceptor line from Old Brook Road to Northborough, the private inflow program, the Colton Lane pump station, Harvey Place and Jordon Pond pump station improvements, a water audit and Capital Efficiency Plan, and town water conservation project, are all ongoing.
The library renovation/addition project is also ongoing, as are plans to update the Donahue Rowing Center and the high school tennis court and track facilities. A draft permit for Stormwater Utility Development was issued in September and the town is in the process of reviewing permit requirements to develop a stormwater utility and fee system, along with permit requirements as dictated by the state legislature. This project promises to be expensive and long-term and involves work on town dams and work with the Central Massachusetts Regional Stormwater Coalition Community Involvement Challenge Grant Program.
The town Highway Department will be involved in resurfacing the garage on South Street, improvements at Gulf/Sewell/Holden streets, and resurfacing Memorial Drive (Route 140) from Route 9 to the Grafton town line.
A full summary of these projects is available at the Selectmen’s Office.
