Phase II of Town Common project stirs interest
Published on May 12th, 1999
STONEHAM MA- Town Common Committee Chairman Mark Vaughn presented an update to the Selectman on Tuesday night on the status of the town common and parking project, and addressed the concerns of those present about rumors circulating with respect to the scope of the project.
Site work on the first phase of the project, the town parking lot, is expected to commence this week, and be completed by Labor Day. For the duration of construction, the parking lot next to the Fire Station will be closed, according to Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting, and alternative parking is being looked into.
The design for phase II of the project, the town common, has yet to be finalized. This phase, Vaughn stated, has understandably generated much greater interest from the public than phase I.
While the committee has considered a number of possible designs for the project, actual selection of a town common scheme is expected to be made on Wednesday night, May 12, at the committee's regularly scheduled, open meeting.
After the committee's designation of a design, a public hearing will be scheduled to solicit public input, followed by a presentation to the Board of Selectmen.
"Over the past month or two, issues (have surfaced) regarding street closings and consolidation of (veteran) memorials," Vaughn acknowledged.
He explained that various design schemes have looked at various street closings, including at Winter, Church, and Central streets. Such closings, he conceded, will impact the amount of on-street parking that currently exists.
"The committee is aware of this and is trying to locate parking strategically around the common...This is not just a beautification project, it is also a parking project," said Vaughn.
If the chosen scheme does in fact involve closing a portion of Central Street, Vaughn assured that provisions will be made to address Fire Chief Lawrence Lamey's concerns that Central Street access is provided to emergency vehicles travelling from the Fire Station to the north side of town.
"How has the scope of the project increased to include Central Street?" asked Selectman Darin Leahy. He further questioned if the cost of the project would exceed the $4.6 million dollar approval by Town Meeting.
"We have a unique opportunity to provide a common to serve the community for .... generations to come. The committee felt (it should get) the most bang for its buck," Vaughn replied, adding that the committee has always remained cognizant of the costs.
"There is no way that we want to go back to Town Meeting," for addition funding, said Vaughn.
"Obviously we're not going to spend more than $4.6 million," said Nutting. If costs do exceed budget, then the scope of the project would need to be reduced, he added.
"I think it's very important to hear what the public has to say," said Selectman Cosmo Ciccarello.
"I'd be opposed to closing down Central Street," added Selectman Patrick Jordan, who further suggested that repair of the front stairs of the Town Hall be somehow incorporated into the project as well.
The other issue of great interest on Tuesday concerned rumors of consolidation of veteran memorials in front of the Town Hall to accommodate the town common.
"It's one of the worst ideas I've ever heard," said Parker Chase Road resident and former selectman Alice Del Rossi. "Every (veteran's) group has their own reasons for having their own memorial."
Another concerned veteran's representative in attendance advised the board that he spoke for fellow veteran's buried at Lindenwood Cemetery whose voice can no longer be heard.
"We are truly against moving any memorial," he said.
Vaughn acknowledged the concern and stated that he did not hear interest on the part of any committee members to make such a move.
"These things take on a life of their own," he said of the rumors.
In response to Del Rossi's inquiry into who would make any decision regarding the memorials, Selectman Chairman Albert Conti responded, "The Board of Selectmen would have to make the decision, but that hasn't come up."
Following the design review on May 12, Vaughn stated that the committee hopes to schedule a public hearing on the common schematic in early June.
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