Around the Hamptons: Easthampton seeks comment on Envision Main Street project; Southampton responds to brush fire, issues warning

In this April photo, Phil LaFlamme, an employee of the Easthampton Highway Department, paints a bike lane symbol on a portion of the Easthampton Main Street experimental redesign. The city is now accepting comment for its Envision Main Street project. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 10-30-2024 11:59 AM |
EASTHAMPTON — The city is seeking feedback from the public on the proposed concept design for its Envision Main Street project. This re-imagining of Main Street was presented to over two dozen members of the public at a public meeting last Thursday, and involves general walkability improvements, expanded outdoor dining and increased accessibility.
At the meeting, Department of Public Works Director Greg Nuttelman noted that he believes the new design “maintains the character of our Main Street” while making some needed improvements.
Paul Furgal of Bowman Consulting, which is tasked with coordinating the project, said that the “key themes” kept in mind throughout the design process were safer walking and biking, accessibility and green community spaces. The design includes expanded sidewalk areas for outdoor dining, shared biking and walking paths, and shortened crosswalks through the use of “refuge islands” in the road, making areas like Pulaski Park more accessible to pedestrians.
The project area is within the Main Street Historic District and is bounded by the Manhan River Bridge to the north and Park Street to the south.
The design will also involve reducing the number of parking spots in the area from 65 to about 57, allowing spots to be reconfigured to be easier to pull in and out of during busy times of the day.
Furgal said that many of the parking spots along Main Street are “jammed in” where they don’t fit well, and “not up to today’s standards.”
Also included in the design are intersection and signalization improvements meant to maintain a steady flow of traffic as the city continues to develop and experience more vehicles passing through it on a daily basis.
Some attendees at the meeting voiced concerns that the proposed intersection alterations at Park Street would not be adequate to improve traffic flow, and that an added parking area proposed near Campus Lane would be used by some drivers to cut off traffic in the Main Street rotary. Others worried that not enough was being done in the design to mitigate speeding. However, most attendees agreed that the design would improve overall walkability and safety for both pedestrians and bikers.
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The proposed designs and more information are now available online at bit.ly/MainStreetEasthampton and public comments can be made through the site’s comment map.
Furgal said that construction would likely take about 18 months to complete, or two years at most, and when construction is able to begin will depend on the timing of Massachusetts Department of Transportation approval.
Commentary will be accepted on an ongoing basis as the project progresses.
SOUTHAMPTON — The Southampton Fire Department announced online Monday that they had responded to reports of a brush fire on White Loaf Road. Upon arrival, fire crews found that residents were burning brush.
The fire did not spread and was promptly knocked down by the crews, but the department used this instance as an opportunity to remind residents of the dangers of open burning during this time.
Open burning is completely prohibited statewide through January, as dry and windy conditions are conducive to the rapid spread of such fires.
The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services issued a brush fire warning Monday urging residents to exercise an abundance of caution when using any open flame or heat source outdoors. Common causes of brush fires include power equipment, fireplace ashes and heating or cooking heat sources.
EASTHAMPTON — The city is partnering with the Hartsprings Foundation to host a special donation drive on Nov. 16 for used clothing and other items in recognition of America Recycles Day, which is celebrated the day before.
America Recycles Day is a national event that encourages individuals to promote sustainability and reduce waste by recycling items they no longer use. Through the city’s drive, residents will divert unwanted items from landfills and support local youth programs through Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Gently used clothing, shoes, housewares, books, DVDs, toys and more will be accepted in the City Hall parking lot at 50 Payson Avenue from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Volunteers will be available on site to assist with unloading donations.
EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton Police Department is accepting donations for its K-9 Unit Donation Fund. All proceeds from the fund will benefit the department’s canine helpers, K-9 Gino and K-9 Jerry, with anything they need to work in the community.
By purchasing apparel representing support for K-9 Gino and K-9 Jerry, community members can support the work of the K-9 unit.
Orders can be placed at easthamptonpdk9s.itemorder.com/shop/home and will be accepted through Nov. 17. Apparel is estimated to be ready to ship on Dec. 16.
Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.