ATHOL — With a $643,252 Community Development Fund grant in hand, the town will proceed with its plans to reconstruct Marble Street.
“It’s the first CBDG project in a long time to occur in the downtown. We have been working for a number of years to get the downtown qualified for this kind of development project,” consultant Linda Overing told the Selectmen on Tuesday. “This award is a sign that we’re going to receive approval (for) the greater downtown to be eligible for additional work, such as the Marble Street reconstruction.”
She said the plan is a “soup-to-nuts” reconstruction of the entire length of Marble Street and involves replacing water, sewer, and drainage pipes, sidewalks, and the curbs. She said the project is possible because the town has made a large commitment of its Chapter 90 funds “and some of its capital match funds on top of what the state’s given us. It will be close to a $1 million project when we’re done.”
The town hopes to go out to bid in January, award the contract and start construction in April or May. Overing said it allows time to work out the details and apprise residents and businesses of the work schedule and any traffic changes around Island and Marble streets.
Town Planner Eric Smith announced the town received $116,762 for three Green Communities grant projects:
Approximately $50,000 for LED interior and exterior lighting upgrades at the Department of Public Works garage and compound facility;
$30,000 for police station for heating efficiency improvements. Smith said currently the entire building is one heating zone. “There is a discrepancy of use, with the 24-7 dispatch facility and the gym on the far corner of the building. This will even it out,” he said.
$35,000 at town hall for heating efficiency improvements; temperature control, as some offices are hot and others cold.
Town Manager Shaun Suhoski thanked Smith and Overing for a “tremendous job” saying Athol’s grants are always competitive” and not all towns get the grants.
Suhoski also thanked DPW Superintendent Douglas Walsh.
“Doug’s job is even tougher. He has to allocate those Chapter 90 funds so we get the road work done,” he said. “Without those matches we’d be much less competitive.”