No one ever said it was easy to find ways to secure state or federal grant monies, but no one is probably better suited to try and understand the process and then explain them in terms the average taxpayer could understand than Bonne DeSousa of Mattapoisett.
Well known around the Southcoast for her efforts to bring recreational pathways which may become a continuous link of bike paths from Providence to Provincetown one day, DeSousa is continuing that work with the Complete Streets Program. This national program asks cities and towns to look deeply into how their transportation systems are currently functioning, including public transportation services, sidewalk conditions, roadway shoulders, trails, crosswalks, and recreational pathways.
“It’s part of a much bigger intuitive,” DeSousa told the members of the Mattapoisett Planning Board on July 15 when she sat down to explain what a new town committee’s objectives were relative to Complete Streets.
DeSousa is the co-chair of Mattapoisett’s Bike and Pedestrian Committee charged with pulling together information from all the neighborhoods in town, how current travel infrastructures are working, and where improvements could make moving around town easier and more pleasant.
The Complete Streets Program also has a war chest of grant money. But to unlock those funds and have them pour into Mattapoisett, the first step is a formal plan.
“We’ve been working with a consultant who will assist us,” DeSousa said.
Since last fall, the committee has been gathering neighborhood information and scoping out how to approach a plan.
DeSousa further explained that Complete Streets grants could not be used for any ongoing roadway improvements or other large-scale projects, but instead focuses on smaller pieces that would fit into a larger overall plan. The objective, she said, was to give people of all abilities and ages the ability to safely cross a street, walk to a store, or bike to work.
The types of projects a Complete Streets grant might fund are such things as roadway markings, radar speed feedback for traffic calming, intersection design improvements, roadway shoulder easements and improvements, and sidewalk improvements.
“We need at least 15 projects prioritized by importance,” DeSousa told the board. She said that she is meeting with various boards and committees throughout town to begin developing the list and hopes that residents would also take the time to participate in meetings and offer their suggestions.
“The town has never had a committee before to help,” DeSousa said, but now Complete Streets plans could be developed, presented to the state for approval, and money pursued for prioritized projects.
DeSousa asked the public to send their comments to the Selectmen’s Office.
In other business, the board spent about 45 minutes proofreading documents related to the Eldridge Estates subdivision planned for Prospect Road. Developer Scott Snow, flanked by his representative Richard Rheaume of Prime Engineering, once again where admonished, albeit mildly, for submitting necessary documents in a belated fashion.
“We’ve talked about this for over a year,” said Chairman Tom Tucker.
But Tucker also acknowledged that all requested materials were now, for the most part, in order and he asked the board for a motion.
The project was approved with final endorsement withheld until all documents were 100-percent corrected, and until counsel representing the Water & Sewer Department had an opportunity to review the plan of record and easements.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for July 29 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.
Mattapoisett Planning Board
By Marilou Newell