By Ryan O'Connor
Staff Writer

Courtesy graphic This drawing shows the most likely scenario for the town common project. Under the plan, a bandstand and shrubbery would create more usable space.

Porter Weeks grew up in the center of Dunbarton.

As owner of The Dunbarton Group, a landscape architectural and construction firm, Weeks wants to revitalize his hometown by designing a new town common, complete with a bandstand.

“This is strictly voluntary on our end,” said Weeks. “I used to ride my bike through the town common and I am very familiar with the area, so I have a very strong interest in improving the town itself.”

He and his partner, Wayne Lamarre, jumped at the chance to do the project free of charge, Weeks said, noting this type of project doesn’t come around often.

“I definitely think the common needs to be addressed as far as improving its functionality,” said Weeks. “I know the area very well and have never really seen any significant improvements to the town center. So, I figured I could offer our services because I already have an intimate knowledge of the area and I’m not in it to make any money.”

Before the idea of a town common was ever brought to his attention, Weeks had written a practice grant detailing Dunbarton center for a class in college.

“A lot of people say they blink and are through the town,” he said. “This is an opportunity to slow people down and create a little more identity without changing the character of the town, but enhancing it.”

The two main proposals are somewhat different. One places the bandstand at the southeast corner of the current common, pointing toward the fire department and elementary school, while the other puts the 25- to 30-foot wide structure next to the library.

Donna Dunn, who has helped the Town Common Project raise $48,000 over the past six years, said the group will most likely go forward with the option that places the bandstand closer to the library.

“It’s quite probable, in the near future, that Robert Rogers Road will get straightened, so we had to decide if it is the best place to put (the bandstand), if that ends up being the case,” Dunn said. “If the road gets straightened, we can simply change the facade so the steps are facing south, which we could engineer in with the plans.”

The bandstand will be placed far enough away from the library in case the facility needs expansion in the future, Dunn said.

There is also a third option, according to Weeks, which involves straightening Robert Rogers Road as part of the project.

He said the current alignment of roads in town center is confusing to those who don’t know the area, and somewhat dangerous.

“Right now, it’s weird how that intersection is set up. You’re kind of cutting through the green space and there is no safe way to walk through there,” he said. “So, by straightening the road you are forcing people to stop at Route 13 before they turn, rather than flying through there. You’re maximizing open space in the town common and you also provide the opportunity to implement walkways, which would be much safer.”

But, Dunn said it may be too complex for her group to handle by itself, as the straightening of Robert Rogers Road is a concept that has been widely opposed by residents in the past.

At Town Meeting in March, Police Chief Jeff Nelson proposed using grant money to straighten Robert Rogers Road, and adding sidewalks and lighting as a safety precaution. Residents overwhelmingly shot down the plan.

The third option, however, may not include sidewalks or lighting as previously proposed, but would carry other benefits, including additional green space in town center, said Dunn.

“We are absolutely blessed with the ability to increase green space by simply straightening the road,” she said. “It would also be a natural amphitheater by putting the bandstand on the lowest part of the land and allowing the sound to rise. It’s clearly the best option.”

Still, Dunn said it is not the place of Town Common Project members to go to voters for money for road improvements.

“People have been very supportive of the bandstand. But, if we start to get political, we fear we might alienate people,” she said. “If they ask our opinion we will let them know that we think it’s a good idea, but that’s it.”

Members of the Town Common Project Committee had also set up a booth at Old Home Day detailing plans.

“I thought that people would be throwing eggs at me. But, I was amazed by the number of people when you talked to them about it, that said, ‘Oh my goodness, that makes sense,’” said Dunn.