Published in the November 1, 2019 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Walton Lane, a narrow dead-end off Lowell Street not far from the head of Lake Quannapowitt, needs a facelift.
And if Town Meeting grants residents’ wishes, Walton Lane will get the upgrade it so badly requires.
Each of the 17 abutters to Walton Lane have agreed to divide into equal shares a total estimate of about $91,000 to completely strip and repave the road way. The DPW will oversee the project, which was detailed before the Town Council this week by DPW Director Joe Conway.
The Walton Lane betterment work will be an article on the Nov. 18 Town Meeting warrant, after the Town Council approved it Monday night.
Conway showed councilors some images of a badly worn Walton Lane. The work will entail reclaiming and paving 800 feet of roadway 15 feet wide. Crushed stone will be placed along the roadway shoulders and two curb ramps withy vertical granite curb will be installed at the Lowell Street intersection.
In Conway’s presentation, he mentioned that the town needs to review and repair or replace existing underground utilities as necessary prior to paving.
Town Meeting participants will see a payback timeframe included in the warrant article along with the “estimated assessment.” Conway said this week that each Walton Lane abutter will pay $5,326.24 to be spread out over 20 years.
If Town Meeting approves the betterment request, an “order estimating betterment” document will be brought back to the Town Council for final approval and signature within 120 days of Town Meeting’s conclusion.
The “order estimating betterment” document is then recorded at the Registry of Deeds within 30 days of the Town Council’s final vote.
Construction funds would become available on July 1, 2020, which is the beginning of the town’s next fiscal year.
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Another article on this month’s Town Meeting warrant involves spending $425,000 from Sewer Enterprise reserves on sewer system-related items. Councilors endorsed this request from Conway as well.
