Nov. 16 Leaf Sunday
Nov. 23 Leaf Sunday

After decades of planning and years of effort, the Commonwealth officially approved the Town’s request and discontinued the portion of Chestnut Street from Marsh Road to the Dover line on May 23, 2008. The road is now under the jurisdiction of the Town of Needham and will be rehabilitated over the coming year. The Commonwealth also provided the Town with $2.4 million to support this rehabilitation, which will supplemented by an additional $1 million of funds provided to the Town for road maintenance and repair under the Commonwealth’s “Chapter 90” program.

The Town has executed a contract with Mario Susi & Son for the completion of this rehabilitation project. This fall, the contractor will be installing drainage utilities (such as catch basins, drain manholes, and drain pipes) and also replacing a water main in the vicinity of South Street.

Depending on the weather, we expect that the contractor will continue working as long as possible and may install other utility equipment such as conduits for the planned pedestrian scale lighting between Marsh Road and the Junction railroad bridge.

The project will recommence in March or April of 2009 depending on weather conditions. Work will include the installation of curbing and both installation and reconstruction of all sidewalks. Sidewalks will be renovated on both sides of the Road from Marsh Road to just after the Junction railroad bridge. The sidewalk will then continue on the east side (the “McDonalds side”) to South Street. Subject to funding, the Town may extend the sidewalk beyond South Street.

The Town will also extend the sidewalk on High Rock Street to Emerson Road. Again, subject to funding, we may be able to extend the sidewalk further along High Rock Street approaching the railroad bridge.

Near the completion of the project (late summer or early fall, 2009), traffic signals will be installed at the intersection of South Street and Chestnut Street, and High Rock Street and Chestnut Street.

The final step in the rehabilitation process will be an asphalt overlay of the road surface. The Town was originally contemplating a full reconstruction of the roadway which would have involved grinding up the top layers and would have been more expensive and inconvenient. Because the Commonwealth applied an asphalt overlay several years ago, the Town is now in a position to complete the work with an additional course of asphalt.

The Chestnut Street project also includes streetscape enhancements in the commercial area between Marsh Road and the Junction railroad bridge.

While there may be times that the road will be closed to traffic, our goal is to endeavor to keep one lane of traffic open at all times. Nonetheless, experienced motorists will no doubt expect delays and seek alternate routes!

For more information, contact the Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works, 781-455-7538 or at www.needhamma.gov.

The Needham Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is accepting applications for the upcoming funding cycle. A simple two-page form should be submitted by December 1, 2008 to be eligible for review, and must include proof of site control or include a written letter providing permission for the project. Late applications are not guaranteed the review process. All applications are submitted to the Community Preservation Committee c/o Park and Recreation, 1471 Highland Avenue, 2nd floor Town Hall, Needham, MA 02492.

The state’s Community Preservation Act provides the parameters for determining whether a project is eligible for CPA funds. These funds may be used to acquire, create and preserve open space; acquire and preserve historic resources; create, preserve and support community housing; and acquire, create and preserve land for recreational use. Funded projects must be for public community preservation purposes.

The Needham Community Preservation Fund is authorized by M.G.L. c. 44B that allows Massachusetts cities and towns to raise monies through a surcharge of up to 3% of the real estate tax levy on real property. Needham voters authorized a 2% surcharge, with exemptions for residential property owned and occupied by any person who qualifies for low-income housing, or low- or moderate-income senior housing, and the first $100,000 of taxable value of residential real property. The state also provides matching funds. In the past, the state has provided a 100% match, but now has decreased that amount. Needham has recently received $888,287, almost 68% of the surcharge.

For additional information and an application, go to www.needhamma.gov/CPC or contact CPC staff liaison Patricia Carey at (781) 455-7521.

The HIgh Rock School will be closed for construction and renovations from January 2008 through August 2009. The High Rock School has been the designated polling location for Precinct D for voting purposes. As a voter in Predinct D, you will now vote at the Newman Elementary School gymnasium for the following scheduled elections and another other special elections that may be called from January 2008 until further notice: Presidential Primary - Tuesday, February 5, 2008; Annual Town Election - Tuesday, April 8, 2008; State Primary - Tuesday, September 16, 2008; State Election - Tuesday, November 4, 2008; Annual Town Election - Tuesday, April 14, 2009. All voters in Precinct D will be notified by mail of the change in polling location.