Work on the Wallingford Road improvements project started as of Wednesday, October 16, 2024. This street project aims to enhance both functionality and safety by implementing key changes along the portion of Wallingford Rd. adjacent to Cheshire Town Hall. This “road diet” project involves narrowing the road to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment and discourage speeding. Additionally, on-street parking spaces will be added along the Town Hall side of the road, which addresses the growing need for convenient parking options in the area.
One of the primary focuses of this project is to facilitate easier access to the new Human Services Department offices from the Town Hall. To achieve this, a dedicated and safer crossing will be installed as illustrated on the map, with a shorter distance to cross, ensuring that pedestrians can traverse the road with increased confidence and reduced risk. Accessible ramps and sidewalk improvements will also be installed. The improved infrastructure not only benefits the daily operations of the Human Services Department but also contributes to the overall livability and connectivity of the Town, fostering a more cohesive and accessible community.
Working with the Cheshire Police Department, a stop bar and stop sign is also recommended for traffic travelling on Wallingford Rd. at Elm Street. This intersection is presently confusing for some motorists as the three-way intersection only requires stopping in two directions at present.
After a year of concept design, multiple site walks, seeking regulatory approvals and garnering the Town Manager’s and Town Council support/funding, the project kicked off early September of 2024. The project first work day was Sept. 29, 2024, along with Oct. 12 and Oct. 27th . The project leaders are also in the midst of a course logo design (open to Cheshire residents only). The project has a Facebook page Honeypot Disc Golf @Cheshire Park. The page has updated project progress. To date the work parties have been successful roughing in holes 7,8,9,10,11,12,14,15,16,17 more than half way there! If weather remains cooperative and volunteer work parties are well attended there is the potential by late spring 2025 for the course to be playable along with ribbon cutting ceremony.
Town Hall roof replacement project contract is being awarded with construction anticipated to begin in November 2024. The duration of construction is expected to last a month after start date. This will enhance the aesthetic appeal of the Town Hall property and have a serviceable life of an excess of thirty years.
The Town of Cheshire Public Works Team will be implementing improvements to the existing storm drainage system on Crescent Circle and Rosyln Drive. Phase 1 improvements drainage improvements have been completed, and crews are actively working to complete Phase 2. This project is being completed to alleviate existing roadway flooding and to comply with the CT Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit. To alleviate flooding, an upgraded storm drainage system will be installed in the roadway to collect stormwater to be treated by two new basins, a grassed sediment forebay and then a larger natural wooded area basin to collect, infiltrate and treat the flow prior to its sheet flow to the Willow Brook watershed. The stormwater outlet pipe will be installed on private property within a drainage easement to the town and the basins are on town owned property adjacent to and east of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. The upgraded storm drainage system will disconnect stormwater from the piped system and direct flow to the Willow Brook outlet. This portion of the stormwater will now be treated in the new basins and allowed to flow overland providing treatment and opportunities for infiltration and will lessen the flow that directly discharges to Willow Brook via a piped system. The first phase of the project involved establishing the sediment forebay basin and installing the berms that will provide the storage capacity within the larger basin area. The second phase will be the construction within the roadways, to install the additional upgraded storm basins and piping.
The Cheshire Department of Engineering has designed multiple upgrades to the park that will provide functionality to park-goers, as well as add needed infrastructure to accommodate those residents that require additional accessibility options. Upgrades include a new one-way parking lot with a designated drop off area. The addition of ADA accessible routes around the park and to high usage facilities, such as bathrooms and pavilions, have been proposed. These include a 6-foot wide timber boardwalk that will guide pedestrians to the beach area and provide a scenic route to walk around the park. Moreover, there is also a proposed natural depressed area that will serve as an ice rink during the winter months, which will be a replacement to the temporary ice rink that has historically been placed at Bartlem Park. These improvements to Mixville Park are the result of intense planning and cooperation from multiple departments, including but not limited to: Engineering, Public Works, Planning and Zoning, Economic Development, and Recreation. The parking lot has been completed, and Public Works crews have prepared base material for the installation of the ice rink. Progress photos can be found here.
The Town of Cheshire was awarded a Brownfield Area-Wide Revitalization (BAR) Planning Grant for the West Main Street Business District Revitalization Plan (the Plan) by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. The BAR Planning Grant program funds municipal redevelopment and revitalization projects in areas with multiple brownfield sites. Town Staff are working with SLR Consulting, Ltd. (SLR) (a Cheshire-based multi-disciplinary firm), property owners, and the Cheshire community to develop a phased economic development and rezoning strategy for the BAR Study Area. The rezoning strategy will facilitate development within the area to develop a Form-Based code that encourages adaptive reuse of existing properties, flexibility in the type of uses, and develop design guidelines for façade improvements, streetscape, wayfinding signage, and other public-facing amenities that contribute to creating an active Town Center. The Town has received the deliverable from the consultant, and it will be reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Commission over the next several months. Additional information and project status is available here.
The Town engaged the professional services of Jacunski Humes Architects for a proposal to review the current conditions of the Hitchcock Phillips House. This proposal and the recommendations will support efforts towards a long-term capital improvement plan for the facility. As part of this three-phase proposal, the firm will first prepare an architectural drawing of the existing structure including the floor plans and exterior elevations. The group in conjunction with town staff will then use the plans generated to survey the building, evaluating the physical condition of the structure and mechanical equipment. The resulting report will include a list of recommendations and a level of prioritization for the noted projects. Jacunski Humes Architects will conclude their efforts by utilizing the information generated to prepare a final report which will include recommendations, solutions, and opinions of the probable cost for each project identified.
The Town of Cheshire is in receipt of a $500,000 State of Connecticut’s Small-Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant for enhancements to the Cheshire Community Pool. The grant funding will enable the Town to replace the indoor kiddie pool and to install an exciting outdoor splash pad area. The outdoor splashpad will be located immediately adjacent to the western side of the pool structure and serve as an amenity of the Cheshire Community Pool. The Town retained the engineering services of Barton & Loguidice to complete the design with anticipated construction to commence in early 2025. “Including a splash pad area was one of the most frequent requests we received during the Bartlem Park South community engagement process,” said Town Manager Sean Kimball. Construction of the splashpad will occur in 2025.
Installation of precast culvert sections was completed. The contractors currently working on cast in place concrete parapet walls. Project is on schedule for completion in advance of the end of the construction season.
Installation of road under drainage was completed with pavement restoration executed with Round 2 of the paving program. The Department expects that these measures will mitigate historic icing issues in the area during winter months.