Resident feedback sought on potential village center improvements in Sunderland

An aerial view of the intersection of Routes 47 and 116 in downtown Sunderland.

An aerial view of the intersection of Routes 47 and 116 in downtown Sunderland. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By CHRIS LARABEE

Staff Writer

Published: 10-06-2024 11:10 AM

SUNDERLAND — As Stantec consultants wrap up their report detailing recommendations to improve the town’s village center, with an eye toward safety measures, residents are invited to share feedback on the ideas the company has generated.

The public forum, which will also feature a remote viewing option, will be held Thursday, Oct. 10, at 6:30 p.m at the Sunderland Public Library, 20 School St. Stantec will present the work it has undertaken and then residents will be able to participate in a question-and-answer session.

Village Center Committee Chair Lorin Starr encourages all residents to attend the forum — in person, if they can — as this is a chance to see the work Stantec has done, which will provide potential avenues the town can explore to improve its village center.

“This really is an opportunity to receive the information, but also to give feedback and join in the discussion and see where the town wants to go,” Starr said. “In general, I would say we’re looking at a holistic approach to improving safety and travel through the village center.”

While much of the focus throughout the visioning process has been placed on the intersection of Routes 47 and 116, including at a March public forum, Starr said she expects many of the recommendations will focus on traffic-calming measures, which will not only slow the speed of traffic down, but may also entice folks traveling through town to stop at local businesses.

“I think what people will be seeing is a corridor approach that seeks to slow traffic coming in and out of the center,” Starr said, “and trying to create an opportunity to improve travel, whether it’s by car, by foot, in a bus or on a bicycle.”

Other focuses include incorporating more green space into the town center, as well as exploring how the potential Norwottuck North Shared-Use Path fits into the puzzle. The shared-use path is currently the subject of a feasibility study and would connect Whately to Amherst by running through Deerfield and Sunderland.

Following the public forum, Stantec will provide the town with a final report on the village center, which will detail potential next steps. Starr said the town can then look at short-term measures that could be piloted in the center, while it explores more long-term options, which may require partnerships with the Franklin Regional Council of Governments and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

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“We don’t want it to be a report on the shelf,” Starr said, emphasizing the desire for a lot of feedback. “We really want to have wide participation.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.