Streetscape updates: Committee formed, difficulties encountered, 'tweaks' still possible

FALL RIVER -- A new ad-hoc advisory committee concentrating on the Purchase and Bank streets streetscape project was recently formed and held its first meeting on Thursday.

“It’s really to update on the status of the projects. We talked about the status of the project, the difficulty we are having with the contractor and the older curbing versus the new curbing,” said City Planner William Roth, who is chairman of the committee.

Roth said they also were given an update on the work being done with Verizon, who will be removing three poles and placing the utilities underground as part of the project.

“We had a good, productive meeting, and they had questions,” Roth said.

Plans and contracts are in place so the advisory committee won’t be able to make changes to the project, but Roth said some minor “tweaks” could be made if the members choose.

I.W. Harding Construction Company of West Bridgewater, the lowest bidder but not the city's first choice for the project, was contracted to do the Purchase and Bank street project after the attorney general’s office ordered the city to hire the firm after its owner filed a grievance.

The advisory committee was formed in response to a resolution filed by City Councilor Steven Camara back October. One of Camara’s properties is located on the streetscape route.

Camara is a member of the new committee, not as a councilor but as a property owner.

In addition to Camara and Roth, members include city engineer JR Frey, councilors Leo Pelletier and Stephen Long, property owners David Hebert, Joshua Silva and John Brandt, attorney Brian Cunha and Mechanics Bank CEO Joseph Baptista. The latter two are not residents of the city and received council permission to sit on the committee.

Roth said that curbing is currently being laid and sidewalk work could begin by next week.

Email Jo C. Goode at jgoode@heraldnews.com