Crosswalk Concerns Worry McLean Land members

The McLean Land Management Committee decided at its Wednesday, July 11 meeting that Chairman Ellen O'Brien Cushman will contact Director of Community Development Glenn Clancy to convey concerns members of the committee and public have pertaining to the proposed pedestrian crosswalk to be built slightly beyond Somerset Street on Concord Avenue.

Reconstruction work on Concord Avenue is due to begin in the early fall, Cushman said, starting at Wellington Lane and moving up Concord Avenue. She was briefed by Clancy about the crosswalk and said he plans to have it installed near a dilapidated gate, just past the cell tower.

Town member attending the meeting, however, asked if that actually was the best spot for a crosswalk, voicing concerns that people might not use it as it is not the most convenient spot.

Residents said they cant want it to be in an area where people will use it and have a separate identity from the cemetery, possibly close to Somerset Street but west of the entrance to the cemetery. In addition, they want to know if it will be cleared during snowy weather and it the spot will truly be a buffer for fast-moving cars.

The committee also discussed the demolition of 251 Mill St., a dilapidated house that the town received when it acquired the 100-acre open space property from McLean approximately five years ago.

The structure and fencing around it were due to be removed but the town learned the house contains asbestos so the removal of it must be done in a special way. Currently, Cushman said, she is in touch with a consultant who specializes in asbestos removal and estimates bids will go out for the work next week.

The demolition project, once awarded, will take approximately one to two weeks to accomplish so the work should be accomplished this fall.

In place of the house, the committee plans to create additional parking space and a welcoming kiosk on Mill Street which will tie into the Rock Meadow Conservation land across the street.