BY ROD HANSEN

With work still remaining on the Grasmere roundabout, selectmen have voted to hold off on any future traffic circles until that one is completed.

Board of selectmen Chairman John Caprio began discussion of the topic at the March 26 board meeting by moving to halt construction on the Grasmere structure pending a discussion with Director of Public Works Carl Quiram.

Construction of the roundabout began in the fall, with work suspended during the winter months for completion in the spring. However, Caprio said the asphalt center of the roundabout is already beginning to show erosion and he questioned plans to add granite curbing and a cobblestone apron to the structure.

“I’m very uncomfortable putting more money into that,” Caprio said.

However, Selectman Nick Campasano said the engineer’s design requires the center to be made of a different material than the outer radius.

Caprio had expressed similar thoughts on the roundabout at the selectmen’s meeting of Jan. 15. He moved at that meeting that construction go forward to complete asphalt and granite curbing on the roundabout without the cobblestone apron, but was ruled out of order by former board chairman Barbara Griffin.

Quiram predicted $98,000 worth of work, already part of the approximately $420,000 meant for the rotary and other improvements, remains to be completed. That option includes the granite curbing and the cobblestone center.

Selectman Phil D’Avanza recommended completing the work as planned on the Grasmere roundabout.

“I’d hate to see Grasmere left with a black roundabout. It’s horrendous,” D’Avanza said.

He also said granite curbing would prevent motorists from driving over the circle’s radius.

“If you’ve never been to a roundabout, we’re creatures of habit. We follow the black asphalt and don’t drive on different colored material,” D’Avanza said.

The center proposal also includes granite uprights with a chain in a slightly raised area, D’Avanza said.
Finally, D’Avanza said, completion of the Grasmere roundabout would allow selectmen to determine whether to proceed with future roundabouts.

“We’re looking at two other roundabouts in town. How are we to measure how successful they’ll be” without finishing the Grasmere structure, D’Avanza asked.

Caprio withdrew his motion for a moratorium on Grasmere roundabout construction, while Campasano moved for a moratorium on future roundabouts pending the completion of the Grasmere structure. That motion passed unanimously.

The other two roundabouts under consideration would be located at the intersection of Wallace and Mast roads and the Pleasant Street and Mast Road, as part of a Mast Road improvement project.