GREENFIELD — The scope of a sidewalk construction project slated to begin this summer is being modified to accommodate the concerns of neighborhood residents.
The project — funded by a $399,262 Massachusetts Department of Transportation Complete Streets Tier 3 Construction grant — will no longer include Birch and Vernon streets, according to Planning and Development Director Eric Twarog. Streets that will see the construction of new sidewalks include the east side of Chapman Street from Norwood Street to Silver Street; the north side of Cleveland Street from Chapman Street to Davis Street; and finally, the south side of Norwood Street from Chapman Street to the Lunt ball fields.
“The primary reason (for the change) was public outcry from the residents of those two streets,” Twarog said, referring to an information session that took place at the John Zon Community Center Monday evening. “The main concern was having to maintain the sidewalk once it was put in.”
In terms of maintenance, he clarified, the city would be responsible for overall upkeep, while residents would be responsible for clearing leaves or snow.
Twarog said the streets in the neighborhood were among the top priorities listed as part of the prioritization plan, a plan that is required by municipalities to be eligible for the state’s Complete Streets grant program.
Mayor Roxann Wedegartner said the meeting on Monday was “well-attended” in terms of the neighborhood impacted by the upcoming construction.
“Many of (the residents) expressed, both verbally and with a show of hands, while they supported having new sidewalks, some did not want certain areas that were included,” she said.
To that end, the project has been modified to include the most used walkways students use to get to and from Greenfield High School.
Precinct 3 City Councilor Virginia “Ginny” DeSorgher, who attended Monday’s informational meeting, said she expects many of her constituents will be happy with the changes made to the project.
“I think they made a very wise choice by selecting Chapman, Norwood and Cleveland (streets) to sidewalk,” DeSorgher said. “I walk that neighborhood every day. … I’ve often wondered why the sidewalk didn’t go right along Chapman Street.”
Reflecting on the general consensus of attendees at Monday’s meeting, DeSorgher said the first she heard of the sidewalk project was through a letter from a resident on Saturday.
“Many people were unhappy,” she recalled. “I think the way to prevent that from happening is to speak to the citizens first, to see if there’s community support for the project happening on their streets.”
Twarog said he expects construction to start in July and be completed “easily before the deadline” of Dec. 31.
“There won’t be road closures,” he said, “but maybe police detail directing traffic.”
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne