The road project, initially included in the state system for transportation improvement projects (TIPs) and earmarked for federal funding, has seen little progress. Board members shared their dissatisfaction and emphasized the need for more engagement with state representatives and officials to understand funding mechanisms and project approval processes. Despite reaching out to contacts at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Mass DOT), tangible results have yet to materialize.

Interim measures were contemplated, including potential community involvement in reviewing improvement alternatives and organizing public meetings. However, concerns were raised about the feasibility of gathering community input without a clear funding source in place. The board considered inviting Mass DOT and Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) representatives to facilitate discussions. The meeting also touched on the idea of creating a rotary at a specific intersection to improve traffic flow, though this proposal was met with skepticism.

In parallel, the board addressed the town’s non-compliance with EPA regulations tied to the MS4 stormwater permit. This non-compliance stems from missed updates to bylaws, exacerbated by a vacant key position within the town administration. Board members expressed concern over the absence of formal notifications from the state, with one member noting, “You would hope that anything serious from the state that they would send a certified letter to the town administrator, not just sending an email.” The board resolved to set up a meeting to determine the necessary steps to restore compliance, with one member affirming their commitment to “find out” the next steps.

The board navigated through other agenda items, including the appointment of Lance as a planning board member to the community preservation committee, a unanimous decision. Discussions also included updates on a development project on Fisher Road involving an eight-unit age-restricted housing development. The board reviewed the developer’s request to use an existing paved driveway as a construction entrance, which deviated from the approved plan. Concerns about the suitability of this entrance for construction vehicles led to a recommendation to add a strip of crushed stone for stabilization. The board approved this modification.

In another significant topic, the board reviewed a final plan for the Route 119 corridor analysis. Updates were provided based on discussions with the Ashby fire chief, who highlighted previous efforts to address safety issues at a specific intersection. The chief suggested that further studies would be necessary, given the state’s response to local concerns about accidents in the area.

Economic development was also a focal point, with Joe Bole addressing the board regarding an ongoing project. Bole acknowledged a lack of progress since the last meeting and the impact of Karen Chapman’s departure from the MRPC, which hindered access to necessary feedback and documentation. He shared concerns about the project’s budget constraints and the necessity of completing it within the current fiscal year. Despite these challenges, the board leaned towards proceeding with the work that could be accomplished within the remaining budgetary timeframe.

The meeting touched on a public forum held on June 24th, which focused on an economic grant aimed at promoting branding and tourism. Recommendations were made to consolidate insights from the forum into actionable steps, with an emphasis on integrating survey results and qualitative discussions into a cohesive implementation plan. The board discussed the importance of featuring local parks and state parks prominently in marketing efforts, with proposals to engage with the cemetery and parks department to enhance the town’s marketing strategy.