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"Barre Next" is public outreach for a set of public works projects happening around the Barre, Mass Town Common. This site seeks to Inform, Engage, and Prepare the people of Barre.

There are several different projects going on right now, and for the next couple of years. The Board of Selectmen has appointed a committee to oversee the common drainage project, and to ensure coordination of the different projects when they intersect with the common drainage project. When the drainage work is done and the roadway project starts, this committee will also provide oversight for the municipal portion of that project. The Barre Common Oversight Committee is providing the information found on this site, so any feedback should be directed to them.

The "Gallaway/Dick's Brook Project" is already underway, and the immediate impact will be an end to the flooding of the Woods Memorial Library and other public and private properties on the southwest side of the common.
  • Goal: In the Spring of 2012, the Library will not flood from snow melt and rain.
The drainage portion of the Common Improvement project voters approved in 2011 will break ground in the July 2012.
  • Goal: In the Fall of 2012, North Park (the monuments) will not flood from hurricane events.
The drainage repairs will require some roadway disruption, which will be spaced out over the summer and fall of 2012, to minimize inconvenience to the public. At the end of the repairs, the roads will be allowed to "settle" over the winter.
  • Goal: A high-quality temporary surface will be on the Common roadways for the 2012-2013 winter season.
(Note that it now appears that this surface will be present all through 2013, as the work going on then will be behind-the-scenes legal and bidding activity, and not on-the-ground work.)

The last part of the project is a major roadway project, involving State, Regional, and Municipal money and oversight. The intent is for this project to go "out to bid" around July 2013, for a start in the spring of 2014.
  • Goal: The common project will be finished by Winter 2014.
(Note that the date of this last goal has been adjusted to reflect the realities of the State's process.)

The remainder of this web site gives details on the plans for the projects. Things are somewhat in flux, as the final design engineering is still ongoing. But the pages here should provide you with a good idea of what to expect.

(If you are a facebook user, be sure to "Like" the Barre Next page on Facebook to get instant updates on project developments!)