Worcester Street Work Debated, OKed

Paving is planned for Worcester Street because the road is heavily traveled and the town received a good price for the work, Town Engineer Brian Szczurko told selectmen tonight.

He was asked to attend tonight’s meeting to explain why he planned to use $180,000 in state roadwork funds for a street some said was in better shape than others in town.

Szczurko plans to pave Worcester Street from the Common to Route 122.

“We have roads that have literally fallen apart and are dangerous,’’ selectman John Carlson said. “Worcester Street is relatively smooth.’’

Szczurko said a system is used to determine road priorities and that the amount of use a road receives is a significant determining factor.

Selectman John Dowling said the system is “flawed,’’ because it could allow a heavily-traveled road to get more attention, even if it is in good condition.

Carlson said that based on this approach, roads such as Sibley Street, which he said needs serious work, might never be done.

Resident Scott Browne questioned whether that road actually belongs to the state.

He also noted that “50 percent’’ of the travelers on the road do not live in town but use it to as a through road.

In the end, the work was approved, although Carlson wanted the record to reflect his opposition.