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NORTHBRIDGE, Mass. – Department of Public Works Director James Shuris told about 12 of the town’s senior residents on Tuesday that the latest plan for a new DPW facility merges the best the town has to offer.
The proposal that goes to voters on Oct. 23 is to purchase the former Old Colony site at 371 Douglas Road for $995,000. At a town meeting next May, voters will be asked to fund renovation of that building at a cost of $2.1 million.
Renovations include many of the plans proposed by Neal Mitchell, a Northbridge engineer who designed for free a DPW facility proposed for town-owned land at the wastewater treatment plant on Providence Road.
That proposal was rejected by voters two years ago.
“The volunteers who spent all that time putting together that plan have to be recognized and have to be part of the solution,’’ Shuris said.
He believes, however, that the Providence Road site is not a good location for the DPW. Redesign of the railroad crossing would cost about $500,00 and a DPW should be centrally located, he said.
Its current Fletcher Street location is perfect, but a plan to redevelopment that property comes with an $8 million price tag, Shuris said, “and we knew that was too much money.’’
The Douglas Road proposal also includes about $123,000 in renovations to the Fletcher Street property which will continue to be used for winter operations and as a composting site, Shuris said.
The Douglas Road property is just a half mile from the Fletcher Street so still gives direct access to five of the town’s major roadways.
Shuris noted the Fletcher Street property was deeded to the town in the early 1940s with a condition that it always be used for highway operations.
Gearing up for winter, Highway Superintendent Robert Van Meter explained the town’s snow and ice policy and he and Shuris answered questions, one broached by a woman concerned with the condition of sidewalks, particularly around Colonial Drive.
Van Meter said the bulks of the town’s highway funds goes toward roads, but that he is also concerned about the condition of sidewalks and hopes to that a community development grant, which was used to replace sidewalks on North Main Street, will become available.
An open house will be held at the Department of Public Works on Fletcher Street Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon and the public is invited, Shuris said.
Comments (5)
Excellent points Mr. Davis!
Nor does the $8-$9 Million Dollar plus facility at Fletcher Street make sense, with it's unknown clean up cost's, and it's other suggestive unknown's, costs, etc, etc,!
The large Senior population in the Town on fixed incomes may never approve it, plus other potential future cost's on the Taxpayer's plates, are Roads, Fire Station, Town Hall, Balmer School, Athletic Fields, 2 1/2% Prop Tax increase every year, Water, plus Rip Roaring Surcharge's and Sewer Costs, maybe some "Street Lights" turned back on? & Christmas Lights? ! :D
Plus a lot of possible unknowns on what may happen with Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, which Seniors may not know until after the November Elections.
'Whew'! What a Nightmare I had the other night I dreamed my Oil Bill and Water & Sewer Bill, & Cable Bill, all came in on the same day in the mail.:) May have a feeling it's going to be a tight Holiday Season, & Christmas for the Grand Children, and the working people this year?
What does make sense is the $1.8 Million Dollar DPW Mitchell facility, with a Warranty, that can be built at the WWTPlant or the Fletcher Street location.
The WWTPlant make's the most sense in more ways then one, and is the less expensive!
Plus for those that may be concerned about the 'clean up' of Fletcher Street, just call the Grafton Town Manager and see how Grafton cleaned up their contaminated site. On Main Street, across from the burnt down Mill, its a very nice park now. :)
Juggy,
You are still daydreaming.......................
Guy,
I may not be the only Day Dreamer.
Have a feeling our DPW and Firestation facilities may end up being resolved like Uxbridge finally attained their new Town facility.
Or who knows unless the Town employee's may be very happy and content with their present facilities, and working conditions?
Just get a big Government Surplus or a used but not abused Circus Tent to put over our DPW equipment that may be left to the elements outside? :D
Thought someone said we may need to get some spare parts for the heating systems in the Fire Station and the DPW in some old abandoned buildings in Chernobyl. :D
I am in agreement with you Jack. The Douglas Rd. project doesn't make any sense.
Mr. Mitchell and I find it interesting that the DPW Director states that he will be using many of the "plans" from our proposal. At no time has Mr. Shuris spoken to myself or Mr. Mitchell about using our data so we have no idea what part of our plans he intends to use.
According to this article, Mr.. Shuris failed to mention to those in attendance that we revised our proposal for 1.8 million dollars so that it could be built at either the wastewater treatment site or Fletcher street.
The railroad crossing was quoted to be $350,000.00 (from the RR engineer) in our original proposal with a new driveway for $150,000.00. They are not a requirement to build a DPW. They were offered as part of our original proposal for safety.
The article two years ago actually received a majority vote but failed by a very slim margin to achieve the required 2/3rds.
Why would the citizens of Northbridge vote to buy a building without knowing the actual costs of renovations and therefore having the ability to vote on a complete project?
One reason put forth is that the building could be sold before the May town meeting. I'm not so sure that isn't more a blessing than a problem.
Maybe the BOS could pass over article 4, ask for a complete article with the building purchase price and renovation costs included and then call for a special town meeting.
They could then include wording showing all the renovations required and how thay meet the current and future needs of the town.
Wouldn't that be a complete process, not a partial one?
In closing, at no time were those of us who put our proposal forward looking for recognition. It was done for the love of our town with no agenda and we don't look for part of our plan to be included anywhere.
Let each proposal stand on it's own. We know ours can.