Town Manager Mary Tzambazakis is looking for funds in various accounts to cover the $17,000 cost of improvements at East Main and South streets and is also considering seeking donations from businesses.
WARE – To improve traffic safety at the intersection of East Main and South streets, town officials are working on plans to widen South Street by removing a Nemaneseck Square tree and moving the sidewalk.
Public Works Director Thomas J. Martens told the Board of Selectmen earlier this week that he believes the work can be done for about $17,000.
Town Manager Mary T. Tzambazakis said she is looking at accounts in the budget to see if she can find funding for the work.
Tzambazakis also said she will follow up on a recommendation offered by Park Commissioner John Carroll, a candidate for selectman, who suggested seeing if nearby businesses that rely on deliveries from tractor trailer trucks would contribute toward the project.
Engineers working for the town and traffic experts from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission have reported that the major problem at this intersection is that trailer trucks making a right turn onto South Street do not have enough of a turning radius without going up on a sidewalk.
Selectman William R. Braman said it is possible that if the town gets outside financial support from businesses it may be used to replace trees that would come down to widen the street.
Martens said there would need to be a public hearing on the issue of removing a tree.
Martens said that members of the Ware Historical Society are unhappy about removing a tree from Nemaneseck Square but realize that some change has to happen at the intersection to improve safety.
Some of the work for this project could be done by employees of the Department of Public Works, but laying out new sidewalks and replacing granite curbs would have to be done by a private contractor.
Martens said workers for the town Department of Public works are enthused about taking on this project.
Improvements at this intersection have been under consideration for several years.
Town officials are now saying that if the funding can be obtained the plan is to have the work done before Memorial Day ceremonies, including the May 30 parade.