Athol considers two options for reallocation of leftover grant funds

ATHOL – Leftover funds from a $950,000 Community Development Block Grant may be reallocated for two separate projects.

The initial grant was for infrastructure improvements on Freedom and South streets, but only around $800,000 was used. At its meeting on Feb. 3, the Selectboard voted to use approximately $100,000 for either a topographical survey or a set of engineering plans. The reallocation of the unspent monies will require approval by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

The topographical survey would be for South Street, behind the portion of Lord Pond Plaza that houses the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce, senior center and veterans center. The engineering plans would be for an infrastructure improvement project on Exchange Street from Main Street to the Millers River Bridge.

According to Director of Planning and Community Development Eric Smith and John O’Leary of the Central Mass Regional Planning Commission [CMRPC], the Freedom/South Street project has nearly been completed.

Smith and O’Leary recommended that the leftover funds be used for “engineering plans for ADA-compliant sidewalks and walkways, ensuring accessible and safe pedestrian circulation through the site” at 338 and 360 South St. The information provided stated that improvements will include “regrading portions of the property to improve drainage and site usability, followed by final seeding and stabilization to restore disturbed areas and enhance overall site conditions.”

“Basically, what we’re trying to do is lay the framework and the foundation for the future of outdoor space amenities,” said CMRPC’s Katie Maggio, who attended the meeting remotely, “We want to get a baseline design and foundation in, and then other amenities that can be included and implemented as more funds become available.”

Maggio said potential ideas for the area include a community garden, seating area and pavilion.

“In the event that, for whatever reason, the state doesn’t accept this amendment,” said O’Leary, “I did want to make sure the board would also be amenable to submitting an amendment, a second option, for the Exchange Street engineering and design project.”

That proposal would address improvements along Exchange Street from Main Street to the Miller’s River Bridge. This would include improvements to water mains, sewer lines, storm drainage, sidewalks and the roadway over that 900-foot stretch of Exchange Street.

Regarding the first option presented, Selectboard Chair Rebecca Bialecki said, “That space needs a little cleaning up. And the ability to be able to move between option one and option two, depending on what the state says, is a really good idea.”

The board voted unanimously to approve the use of $100,000 in FY24 Community Development Block Grant funds left over from the Freedom/South Street project for either the 338/360 South Street proposal or engineering work for Exchange Street improvements.