Politics & Government

Stanley School Safety Project Needs Town Meeting Approval

Article 19 would give the town authority to carry out temporary construction easements on properties along roads in the Stanley School neighborhood.

 

Road and sidewalk improvements for those who bike and walk to hinges on an article’s approval at Town Meeting Monday.

That would be Article 19, sponsored by selectmen and needing two-thirds of the meeting delegates to approve it for passage.

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Approval would allow the town to arrange temporary construction easements along parts of Orchard Road, Orchard Circle, Whitman Road and Neighborhood Road.

The article also calls for the town to raise and appropriate or transfer or borrow $37,700. 

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Safe Routes to School Project improvements, funded by a $450,000 federal grant, include shortening crossing distances at intersections — by reducing curb radii — installing new sidewalks and curbing and ADA compliant curb ramps, as well as posting signs and painting new markings on the pavement.

Stanley School Principal Pamela Angelakis applied for the competitive grant.

MassDOT selected the project, in part, due to the long pedestrian crossing distances at some intersections — 150 feet — and the cracked and broken sidewalks.

About 10 neighbors spoke in opposition to the project or questioned it at a public hearing in April.

They questioned its need and the influence it would have on longtime residents of the neighborhood.

The principal and two neighbors said they back the project because it could prevent a walker or biker from being hit by a vehicle.


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