Selectmen Tackle Transportation and Education Issues

At Monday night's meeting, the Board of Selectmen moved to address citizens' concerns over transportation and safety in schools.  

In the citizen's forum, library director Mary Ellen Loud asked the board to reconsider the placement of the crosswalk at Mass Ave and Water St, as cars reach "appalling speeds," approaching the high-traffic intersection. Without traffic guards and with a bus stop coming in, Loud said that the crosswalk will soon be even more unsafe for patrons. She asked the board to look into moving the crosswalk or putting in a traffic light in its place. Selectmen John Hurd agreed that the intersection is one of the "most dangerous" non-signal areas in town. Chairwoman Diane Mahon agreed, stating that the crosswalk, "gives people a false sense of security." The board referred the matter to the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) for immediate review. 

After receiving multiple letters from citizens concerned about store closures due to the construction on Mass Ave., the board discussed ways to change the schedule in order to protect local businesses. The board received notice that the construction could last two more months or longer. The board will ask TAC to nail down a completion date to ensure that business on Mass Ave. will not be impeded.

The board also received notice from the health director about cleanliness of carpets at Ottoson Middle School. While other selectmen suggested increasing training for janitors, Chairwoman Mahon felt that school administration needed to be more responsible about correcting maintenance problems. The board will inform the school committee of the problem and will monitor the issue with the health director.  

The Board of Selectmen will reconvene Monday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Chambers at Town Hall.