DISC Talks Parking Spaces, Wood Street Intersection

Last night the Downtown Initiative Steering Committee had what may be their last meeting before the March 29 meeting with the .

Town Engineer Dave Daltorio presented information gathered at the public forums in February and the board broke down each issue and what solution could be made for it. Top on that list was the concern that so many parking spaces would be lost.

On the stretch of Main Street from Wood Street to Ash Street there are currently 101 parking spaces. The initial proposal cut that number nearly in half.

Through looking at all of the town's needs, the BETA Group was able to come up with a plan that allows for all the necessary improvements (pedestrian safety, driver safety and a bike lane) while maintain 64 of the current spaces.

The second option BETA presented showed the maximum possible 79 spaces they could fit on Main Street without regard for any concerns other than including a bike lane.

“If we aren’t going to work on improving safety and visibility we might as well not be having these discussions at all,” Ken Driscoll, a member of DISC, said.

The board also looked at two options that removed the bike lanes from the to Walcott Street. In one version seven spaces were added along the north side of Main Street, in the other three spaces were added along the south side of the street.

Ultimately the board voted three to one to recommend the 64 spaces plan with the addition of the three spaces on the south side near the barbershop and Hopkinton Gourmet; two businesses where on-street parking is critical.

The board also took a deep look into the Wood Street intersection with West Main Street. They looked at the current plan, which does not require any changes outside of the town’s public way, but discussed recommending that the Board of Selectmen look into purchasing the land at 2 West Main Street.

According to Joe Strazzulla there is no possible way to improve the functionality of that intersection without redesigning it using land the town does not have access to as of now.

“We’ve seen designs that are just pen and paper, but if the town decides to pursue the purchase we can look at more detailed plans for the intersection,” Strazzulla said.

DISC will be meeting with the Board of Selectmen in a working session on March 29 to discuss the recommendations and explain why decisions were made one way or the other. As of now no meetings have been scheduled prior to that date.