Forest Street Construction Nearly Complete

Labor Day marks the end of a drawn-out construction project on Forest Street, referred to by business owners on the block as "The Beautification of Forest Street."

Construction began a couple of years ago when the sewer line was repaired and the waterline was installed. Last year, the drainage was being repaired but the project was stalled because of property owners' concerns about the project. 

It started up again on July 21 when workers began ripping out the curbs and old concrete to widen the sidewalks, install corner ramps, and redesign driveway crossings to make the street more wheelchair accessible. The designated timeframe for the project was about five weeks—the goal being to start shortly after the Sidewalk Sale and finish by Labor Day. 

In the end, it will have cost about $300,000 for the new curbs, brick sidewalks, pavement and light bases. The property owners will pay for the lights. 

"The street is pretty much done and we're close to being on schedule," Mann said. 

But the street itself won't be paved until October so that the businesses have time to open up, he said. After Forest Street is done, the sidewalks across the street on East Avenue and the sidewalks that wrap up toward the fire station will be paved. 

A lane of parking has been lost, as drivers can no longer park along the west side of Forest Street. The town, which has been leasing the Griffin Ford lot at the Locust Avenue end of Forest Street, is considering options to make up for the loss of spaces going forward.