North Street Reconstruction Project

WORK IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON JULY 9, 2012!!

Caracas Construction Corporation of Ludlow, MA will be starting the reconstruction of North Street soon.  The work includes the replacement of sewer, water, and drainage utilities, sidewalks, curbing, driveway entrances, roadway surface, signage, pavement markings and the installation of 3-4 raised crosswalks.

The Contractor is currently setting up construction signs and a staging area at the Industrial Drive circle.  They will be absent from the site during the week of July 4th before beginning work in earnest on July 9th.  Work is expected to take two construction seasons and is scheduled to be completed by December 1, 2013.

They intend to start with installing a new sewer utility beginning at the Market Street end of North Street.

There will be heavy machinery in the roadway during the next six months that will be moving locations daily.  Please check the DPW website for updates on the project schedule under the North St Reconstruction link for the most current status and anticipated work: http://www.northamptonma.gov/dpw/engineering/

One travel lane is expected to remain open at all times unless deemed otherwise due to safety concerns by the Northampton Police Department.  Some temporary detours may be implemented if needed.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation in making this a successful project.  If you have any questions, please call David Veleta at (413) 587-1570, x.4310, Felix Harvey at x.4317 or Ann Pervere at x.4321.

Food Waste Program Update

The DPW's food waste collection program is nearly two years old!  In the past year, 353 households have diverted more than 50 tons of food & non-recyclable paper waste from the landfill to make a rich soil amendment at the Farmer's Friend composting facility in Belchertown.

Due to the popularity of this program, it will continue for another year.  Current program members can obtain a new sign-in card and vehicle permit for 2012-2013 on the following Thursdays from 4:30-6:30pm in front of the DPW office at 125 Locust Street:  June 28, July 5, and July 12.  A vehicle permit costs $25 for residents (regardless of age) and a food waste program membership costs $15 per year.

Participants who cannot make it to any of the Thursday sign-up sessions can visit the DPW office to renew their vehicle permit and program membership (Monday-Friday 8:30-4:00).  For more information, email kbouquillon@nohodpw.org or call 587-1059.

Transfer Station Update

The [red] vehicle permits required for access to Northampton’s two residential drop-off centers will expire on June 30th.  The 2012-2013 permits are now available through the DPW office (8:30-4:00 Monday-Friday except major holidays).  These permits will be available through transfer station attendants after July 1st.

The Board of Public Works approved a new fee structure for the vehicle permits that eliminates the senior discount and adds a “means-based” discount program for FY13.  The permits will now cost $25 for residents of all ages.  Income–eligible residents may receive a discount (of up to $60 per fiscal year) through the DPW office. 

The Board took this action based upon a unanimous recommendation from the City’s Waste Reduction and Management Task Force “to develop and implement a means-based discount as opposed to a senior discount.”  This recommendation was submitted to the Board in April 2011, following a series of public meetings. 

For more information contact kbouquillon@nohodpw.org or call 587-1059.

Cracksealing List

A list of all City streets slated for cracksealing, in the order they will be done, can be downloaded by clicking this link.

CRACKSEALING ON CITY STREETS

Crack sealing will commence on City streets beginning June 11, 2012 (Monday) for approximately 2-3 weeks (weather permitting).  Night work (9PM to 5AM) will be completed first on the following high volume streets:
- King St (Finn St to Main St);
- Pleasant St (Main St to Holyoke St);
- Bridge Rd (Fox Farms Rd to Hatfield St);
- Bridge Rd (Jackson St to King St);
- Damon Rd (two short sections).
A list of the lower volume remaining streets to be crack sealed during regular construction hours (7AM-3:30PM) is available at the DPW building, ask for Laura Hanson (413-587-1570, x.4312).

Sections of parking meters will be covered along King St and Pleasant St while the work is being performed, and will be removed as soon as it is feasible by the Northampton Police Department.  Efforts will be made to provide on-street parking on at least one side of the street at all times for these streets.

One travel lane will be open at all times by the NPD for traffic flow during the crack sealing operations. Thank you in advance for your patience while this maintenance work is being performed.

North King Street/Hatfield Street Proposed Roundabout

Open Workshop to Review Plans for Project

WHEN:  Tuesday June 19, 2012--Drop by anytime, arriving between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM (we will stay until 8:00 if there are still people)

WHERE:  City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street (behind City Hall)

FORMAT:  This is an open workshop.  Drop by arriving between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM and we will go over the plans for the project and especially focus on how it affects your property.

WHO IS INVITED:  Anyone is invited and welcome to attend.  The focus, however, is on property owners and tenants who may be affected by the project.

For questions: Wayne Feiden, Director of Planning and Development at wfeiden@NorthamptonMA.gov