The buildings are down, the plans are drawn for the town common
Published on January 12th, 2000
STONEHAM, MA - Plans for the new Town Common are complete.
The Town Common Committee knows where they want the "October Glory" red maples, the Korean Mountainash and the 32 other plant species of the soon-to-be lush Town Common flora. The lighting scheme is on paper as well as the layout of paths and benches designed to draw Stonehamites into the new public space. The fence perimeter and style and location of rubbish barrels are also demarcated on the plan.
Selectmen plan to examine the plan for final approval at their Jan. 18 meeting.
The board will also publicly respond to the Common Committee's request for legal opinions on whether private funds could be raised to pay for final touches to the Common, such as benches, and whether vocational students could do work on the project, such as wiring the lights. A letter from Solomon to Common Project Manager Joe Slavet answered yes to both questions.
Additional money and labor may be necessary because the $5 million project is overbudget. Private money and Northeast Voke student labor would help the Common Committee realize its vision without going back to the town for another cent, Slavet said.
Town officials also want to speak with the Common Committee about coordinating the construction schedules of the Common, police station parking lot and Town Hall grounds.
"Doing this work together makes the most sense," Slavet said.
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