Franklincountynow.com Staff Report
(MONTAGUE, MA) – The town of Montague is one step closer to building a new pedestrian bridge to the former Strathmore Paper Company building.
Montague special town meeting voters this week approved a series of easements which will allow for construction of a new pedestrian bridge from Fifth Street to the former factory site, which the town has long-eyed as a potential redevelopment site.
“Certainly, having pedestrian access to the site is key to whatever future may exist for that property,” Montague Town Administrator Steve Ellis said.
Voters also agreed to initiate a process which could change the date of Montague’s annual town election from the third Monday in March to the third Tuesday in March, which Town Clerk Deb Bourbeau says lines up better with the state’s election schedule, which typically holds elections on Tuesdays.
The change is contingent on the passage of special legislation by the Massachusetts House and Senate and signed by the governor.
Town meeting members also approved a series of adjustments to the budget approved at the spring annual town meeting. Tuesday’s meeting was the first official event held at Montague’s new public works department garage.