By Laura Hayes, Senior Community Reporter
SHREWSBURY — The Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen unanimously approved orders during their July 13 meeting to take land for a project along Route 20.
In 2018, Gov. Charlie Baker’s office announced a $3.75 million MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant that would fund improvements to Route 20.
Widening the road to four lanes, a new signal at Route 20 and Lake Street and new sidewalks, curb ramps, turn lanes and bike lanes are some of the improvements.
The vote comes after an article was passed during Town Meeting in May, which gave the selectmen permission to acquire either by gift, purchase or eminent domain, temporary or permanent easements on land needed for the improvements.
The article also transferred $50,000 from free cash to acquire real estate.
During the selectmen meeting, Town Manager Kevin Mizikar said that in addition to the order for taking, Shrewsbury staff will be mailing the “appropriate appraised value” or checks for the appraised value of the properties that the town hadn’t been gifted.
“That, in total, is a little over $30,000, as detailed within your documents,” Mizikar told selectmen.
This news comes immediately after US Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) announced he had helped secure a further $8 million in funding through the federal INVEST in America Act for various improvements along Route 20.
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