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Date: 5/16/2023
PALMER — A resolution for the Church Street Bridge replacement project is now well underway, according to the Town Council who met on May 8.
The council had to vote on the transfer of funds in order to allow the project to proceed. A motion was made for the appropriation of $2.3 million from the Stabilization Fund to be transferred to a Capital Projects Fund and was passed by council vote. This will allow the town manager to sign the contract and get the project going, according to the council.
Town Manager Ryan McNutt said he had a meeting with the company doing the project the week of May 8 and would have the construction schedule and more information at that time.
The Church Street Bridge project “has been a long time coming,” Conservation Commission Chair Donald Blais previously told Reminder Publishing. Completion of the project will allow the bridge route to reopen, and Blais said, will help with downtown traffic clogging, beautify the surrounding neighborhood and provide easier access for visitors.
It will be another way for tractor trailer trucks to reach Maple Tree Industrial Center, an industrial park that had previously been accessible by the bridge.
The project is being funded by a combination of grant money and town funds. Town Planner Linda Leduc secured a $280,000 MassDevelopment grant, used for the design and permitting process of the bridge. Mcnutt said the rest of the project is town funded at approximately $2 million.
Appointments
Jan McCoy and Judith Bechard were appointed to the Cultural Council for terms until 2026.
Peter B. Izyk was appointed to the Conservation Commission for a term ending 2026. McNutt said Izyk has been involved with the commission in some way for over 40 years, and deserved a round of applause for his service.
Election schedule
Town Clerk Susan Coache appeared to explain the schedule and process for the annual town election.
The is scheduled for Tuesday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nomination papers are available at the town clerk’s office.
The following seats will be on the ballot:
Town Council at large has one seat open for a term of three years, and Town Council District #1 Thorndike/Bondsville has one seat open for a term of three years as well. The Planning Board has two three-year term seats open, and the School Committee also has two seats open for three year terms. Those wishing to vote by mail or needing an absentee ballot should contact the town clerk at 413-283-2608, and appointments are encouraged for those interested in coming to the office.
Library roof repair
McNutt said the library has a leak from the combined water runoff from the library structure as seen from the street combined with a building with a flat roof behind it. The leak will be fixed soon, however McNutt said the town would be looking at a larger project in the future as the entire gutter system may need to be replaced.
The council approved a $15,200 transfer from the Capital Stabilization Fund to the Capital Projects Fund to fix the leak issue, but that will not address the greater problem of the gutters.