Firm outlines next steps for roadway project

MATTAPOISETT — A Tuesday, Aug. 27 meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board resulted in an update from engineering firm Vanasse Hangen Brustlin on the ongoing village roadway project and a decision to create a webpage containing information and updates about the project.

Greg Russell, a project manager for VHB, provided the board and citizens with an outlook on the firm’s plan going forward regarding the project to reconstruct and renovate the Main, Water, Beacon and Marion roadways

He said that the goal is to “identify a preferred concept” to move forward with and present to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

“We want to come up with that [preferred concept] with the town,” said Russell. “Based on comments we received and feedback from the public information meeting.”

The public information meeting Russell is referring to took place on June 27 at Old Rochester Regional High School with the Department of Transportation, Select Board and townspeople.

The project is estimated to cost $16 million, funded entirely by federal and state funds.

“Usually, the town comes up with a vision and we try to incorporate that vision,” said Russell.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has received 56 letters from Mattapoisett residents containing concerns and questions about the roadway project, according to Russell.

The project has generated much discussion due to the potential removal of trees along the corridor of the project.

Russell said VHB plans to hire an arborist to review conditions of certain trees and “do their best to minimize construction impacts.”

He brought up the idea of evaluating the possibility of making certain roads in Mattapoisett Village one-way, which would create more space.

“If we were to go one-way, we would recommend it to be between Barstow and North Street,” said Russell.

Select Board member Jodi Bauer said the town made Water Street one-way in 1981 and the idea quickly failed due to complaints and negative effects to businesses and homeowners.

“I don’t see any gain,” said Bauer, who said the town should learn from its mistakes.

Russell said VHB’s timeline depends on how quickly a “preferred option” of the town comes together, but that he hopes a public hearing regarding an updated 25% design of the project could take place in the early months of 2025.

Select Board member Tyler Macallister said he would like for VHB to have a new design created by early October, “something we can lay on a table and people can look at.”

Later in the meeting, Mattapoisett resident Bonne DeSousa proposed the idea of having a “landing page” on the town’s website that contains information and updates about the project.

The idea was quickly turned into a reality as the Select Board approved a motion to do so.

“I think it's a great idea,” said Select Board member Jordan Collyer. “With a committee or without a committee there’s no reason not to have a depository for information.”