The public will have a chance to comment on proposed changes to downtown traffic at a public hearing Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Town Hall. The hearing will let town residents give the Town Council their feedback on improvements proposed by Sebago Technics of South Portland.
For Sebago report, see page 29 of July 11 council minutes:
Whatever adjustments are eventually planned, the town will actively partner with the state on construction. This will be a change from the traffic light project at the intersection of Routes 236 and 91, an exclusively state project.
Although the Maine Department of Transportation will still take the lead on the next project, South Berwick will be involved every step of the way, with regular meetings and updates throughout the process, Town Manager Tim Pellerin told the Town Council at its meeting last week.
Councilor Melissa Costella said many constituents have inquired about progress and problems on the Route 91 job, and she could not always get answers. She expressed concern that changes to traffic flow downtown would have the same issues, but Pellerin promised the downtown job would be collaborative from the outset.
The state would pay 80% and the town 20% of costs for creating design and building plans, which could be $500,000. The town already has earmarked $100,000 in Tax Increment Financing money for this purpose, Pellerin said.
In other business at last week’s meeting, Brad Christo, a member of South Berwick’s Building Committee, read a letter expressing his concern that the town has not allowed the building committee to assist the council in the ongoing question of town hall renovation versus a new building.
“You made a choice, however conceived, to inject and then remove the Building Committee from an already fast moving process on the Town Hall. Why did you not involve the BC at the beginning of this project?” Christo asked. “When will you involve the BC?”
According to the town’s website, “The building committee assists the Town Council through research and recommendations with new construction, demolition, and revitalization of all Town owned buildings.”
Also in other business, the council noted that the new sticker requirement at the transfer station is helping with traffic flow and limiting use of the facility to residents of town.
The council also reported that the Red Barn on Agamenticus Road near the ball fields will be demolished on Oct. 2; and officials praised South Berwick road crews for their work after the storm on Sept. 1.
