There are four projects going on simultaneously getting the Barre Common ready for our next 240 years: 1. Barre Common Drainage Rehabilitation  The drainage system within the Barre Town Common is in various states of disrepair. The Town through their own funding has engaged Lenard Engineering to inspect and recommend necessary rehabilitation and repair. Lenard will develop a maintenance Contract for the recommended rehabilitation and repair . This contract will be bid in the Winter of 2011-2012. Lenard Engineering will directly oversee and document the field work which will be completed in 2012. Lenard Engineering will certify the integrity of the new drainage system under the new proposed roadway. This project is managed by the BCOC and will be completed by the Fall of 2012. This is the only project managed by the BCOC — the other projects described on this site are managed by other government bodies. 2. Galloway Brook Reconstruction Project Galloway Brook Reconstruction is a fast track design and construction project in response to periodic and severe flooding in and adjacent to the Barre Town Common, Town Library, and properties in and around the Harding Allen Estate. Galloway Brook receives the drainage from the Barre Town Common between West Street and Grove Street. There is no direct overlap between the Traffic improvement project and the Galloway Brook Reconstruction Project however some minor grade changes may be necessary along Rte 122, within the project area, to ensure drainage sub catchment areas do not change. The construction work will be done by Baldazar Construction Inc., which bid just over $1M. The project is entirely funded by the state. 3. Mechanic Street Roadway and Utility Reconstruction Project Mechanic Street Roadway Reconstruction in currently funded through a STRAP Grant. The project is in the early design phase and extends from the intersection of Mechanic Street and Valley Road to the Barre Common. Drainage from the Barre Town Common drains the Mechanic Street Drainage. The actual construction phase will be funded by the state, but the town will not be eligible for these funds until around 2013.  4. Barre Common Traffic Improvement Project The Barre Common Traffic Improvement Project seeks to improve movement and safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the 20 acre Barre Commons area. The Barre Commons have been and remain the hallmark of our Town. As the Town of Barre continues to encourage business development and the utilization of the Barre Commons for Town residents and tourists, the ease and safety of integrated pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow is becoming more important. In 2005, to address the safety issues, improve access and enjoyment of the Barre Commons for both residents and commerce, the Town engaged Fuss & O’Neil Engineering to develop a traffic improvement plan for the Barre Commons. This was part of an effort to get funding through the Transportation Improvement Program which is managed by the MassDOT. The TIP funds are Federal funds managed by MassDOT which are allocated for the improvement of non-state owned roadways. The funding is divided across the Massachusetts by MassDOT district and MassDOT in cooperation with local Planning Districts (such as the Central Mass Regional Planning District). These parties work to prioritize individual community programs within the larger districts. Approximately 45 communities compete for the limited federal funding (approximately $5M annually) to pay for local projects. Through the support of the Selectman, local legislators, and the designs developed by Fuss & O’Neil, the project has currently secured funding on the TIP scheduled for fiscal year 2014. This is a combination of Federal Funding and discretionary State funding which was added to the project through the efforts of local legislators. About half of the roadway system within the Barre Commons are eligible for funding through the TIP. This leaves Town of Barre with the responsibility for:
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