A recent post about lack of planning and wasting taxpayer’s money turned up on Facebook last week. It was a result of the city making a cut in the newly installed pavement on Lincoln Street, parallel to the sidewalk from College Farm Road to approximately Hibiscus Ave. The many replies expressed frustration about the city’s lack of planning and accountability and why was the city already digging up work that had just been completed?
For any of you that have not followed me, I will repeat what I have been saying for years, the City of Waltham gets failing grades when it comes to planning and a vision of the future.
A previous blog on this Patch discussed this same issue. A link can be found here: http://patch.com/massachusetts/waltham/good-city-could-be-great-0
Find out what's happening in Walthamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In addition, because of this situation, I have put in a resolution to create minimum standards whenever we redo any public road. If implemented, fiascos like the one on Lincoln Street should become a thing of the past.
As for why the sidewalk that is now being cut up, I take full responsibility. When I was told that that the currently installed asphalt sidewalk and berm was the finished product, I was furious. It was an embarrassment and insulting to all in the neighborhood. After discussions and meetings, it was decided to take the sidewalk out and replace it with granite curbs and bituminous cement. This is a significant upgrade in both appearance and safety to those walking on it. I think given the same choice, very few would not have made the same decision.
Find out what's happening in Walthamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Another comment regarded the handicap ramps to nowhere. Like it or not, they are required by the state whenever you redo a street. Some of us on the council are trying to make improvements in a broken system. Should this situation be something that you should factor in when you vote in November, that is for you to decide?
