Main Street Project

Main Street Project Committee

Mission Statement

Engage the community, consult with experts, research similar projects, and communicate with governing authorities and utility companies to establish project limits, design criteria, budget, phasing and schedule for the reconstruction of Main Street for consideration and approval by the Board of Selectmen and the community at large. Seek out and identify sources of funding. Assist the Board of Selectmen in managing the design and construction process by engaging with qualified design professionals and site contractors. Continue to keep the community informed throughout the entire process.

Members

Michael Joplin; Chair
Charlene Janecek

Edmund Meehan

Chuck Mueller
John Schroeder

Leslie Strauss
Jeremy Ziemann

The Selectmen have endeavored to include a diverse group of individuals with complementary skills and backgrounds, with any individual potentially fulfilling one or more of them. The following skills and backgrounds have been identified as vital to the makeup of the Committee, however the membership may be open to others with related skills, knowledge or backgrounds:

A member of the Planning & Zoning Commission
• A member of the WPCA
• A Board of Selectmen representative
• An urban designer or landscape architect
• An architect
• A civil engineer
• A merchant
• A Main Street resident
• A person with road construction experience
• A person with fire safety experience
• An at-large member

Main Street Committee Charge

The Main Street Committee, serving at the pleasure of the Board of Selectmen, is charged to advise that Board in the development and implementation of a defined scope of work, schedule and budget for what has generally been referred to as the “reconstruction of Main Street”. Specific actions include but are not limited to:

- Coordinate an assessment of visible infrastructure, including, but not limited to:
  - Street surfaces
  - Sidewalks and ADA compliance
  - Lighting
  - Landscaping
- Coordinate an assessment of sub-surface utilities and drainage
- Schedule public input forums for the town in general and those most directly impacted, paying particular attention to Grant and funding requirements
- Identify contractors / experts on germane topics and solicit input as needed
- Where appropriate determine materials / surfaces to be incorporated into projects.
- Provide point of contact for designers working on projects
- Report to the Board of Selectmen as directed by the board
- Other duties as determined by the Board of Selectmen

Main Street Project History

Main Street in Chester is a former State road that the town purchased for $1 from the State. Chester’s responsibility for maintenance begins on the village side of the Main Street Bridge and continues to the intersection of Main Street and Middlesex Avenue.

As the name implies, Main Street has been one of the primary locations for traffic, infrastructure and commerce since Chester’s inception. While under the State’s stewardship, Main Street was continually “overlaid” with paving material. There are no records of a complete reconstruction. As a result, some portions of the pavement exceed the height of the curb reveal creating significant drainage problems. Beneath the pavement exists ageing and abandoned infrastructure that includes, but is not limited to, water mains, trolley tracks, sewer lines, water lines, storm water drainage, and possible electric service.

The need to reconstruct the road surface and associated sidewalks and to inspect and replace the utilities that are under the roadway have been recognized for quite some time. In addition, connecting street improvements, resident and business use and fire safety related to any reconstruction must be considered. The Main Street Committee was formed initially in the 1980’s to review the conditions and make recommendations.

In June of 2013, the Main Street Committee completed the Chester Village and Center District Master Plan which was adopted at the July 23, 2013 Town Meeting. This comprehensive plan lays out design recommendations for seven project phases coordinated in conjunction with the replacement of the Main Street bridge begun in 2014. Adoption of the Master Plan set in motion the strategy for qualifying for State grant funds and the coordination of complex construction work within the commercial district. The goal of the Master Plan is to enhance the vitality of the Village while maintaining its unique and special character. Use this link to view the Chester Village Master Plan. Chester Master Plan 2013

A number of projects ancillary to the current Phase 3 Main Street project have been completed with Main Street Committee support and oversite. As of July 2011 the sewer project and the Middlesex Avenue bridge projects were completed. The Water Street bridge over Great Brook was completed in 2012. In the spring of 2015, the Phase 1 Main Street project was completed, encompassing 1,800 linear feet of Main Street from Laurel Hill Cemetery to Middlesex Avenue. The project, preceded by a new water main installation, addressed drainage, erosion issues, safer parking conditions, improved lighting, new sidewalks and paving. The Laurel Hill Cemetery parking was expanded to 19 spaces, paved and lighted. Phase 2, the replacement of the Main Street Bridge by the state, was completed in 2016.

Main Street Current Project 2019-2020

Phase 3 encompasses Main Street from Route 148 to Maple Street. Improvements to Spring Street and Maple Street as they connect to Main Street are also included in the scope of work. Design plans are attached to this web site, and are on display at the Town Hall. Stakeholders are invited to meet with the Selectmen and Committee to discuss specifics related to their properties. There will be a Public Presentation of the project design on May 14 at 7 PM at the Town Hall. Work is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2020.