Easton Officials Aim to Start Main Street Revitalization By Next Summer

A construction project to revitalize Easton's Main Street with improved sidewalks, light fixtures and crosswalks could be underway by July 2013, officials said Monday.

Department of Public Works Director Dave Field updated the Board of Selectmen on the project, which has been split into two phases.

Phase A, which runs from Williams Street to Center Street and includes updates to the municipal parking lot off of Mechanic Street is the current priority, he said.

Phase B would include work from the Rockery to beyond the , he said.

Field said the estimated cost for phase A of the project would be between $1.5 and $2 million. A covers $1 million of the project. After receiving a final cost, he said the town would explore additional funding opportunities.

"We always estimated it at about $2 million," Town Administrator David Colton said. "The MassWorks grant is not going to cover 100 percent. We could use Chapter 90 money. We could go back to MassWorks for a grant amendment."

Selectmen also discussed fundraising opportunities, including donations solicited for light poles.

In addition to improved sidewalks and crosswalks, the project will include ornamental period lighting, removal of some overhead utility crossings, improvement and expansion of the parking lot off of Mechanic Street to include approximately 59 spaces, way finding signage and street furniture.

The project will coincide with the development of a wastewater treatment plant that will hook up 70 Main Street parcels to a sewer system, allowing workers to bury some crossing wires while the street is already under construction.

Field and Colton said they will hold public meetings to discuss the project, including a meeting later this month with "stakeholders."

"We’re going to start small," Colton said. "This month we’re going to have a meeting just with the homeowners and business owners who actually front on Main Street and then we’ll broaden out to the surrounding neighborhoods."

After public meetings, Field said he hopes to complete a design by the winter and bid the project in the spring.