Regional Digest.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

COLUMN: Regional digest

Town to lobby for work on bridge

CLINTON - The replacement of the Water Street bridge has been under discussion with state officials for more than a dozen years, but work has yet to start. Meanwhile, the bridge, which runs over the Nashua River, has been deemed unsafe by state bridge inspectors.

The selectmen on Wednesday decided to start an intense lobbying campaign to the town's state senators and representative, along with Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray, to get work started as soon as possible.

Christopher J. McGown, superintendent of public works, said it is possible that bridge inspectors could close the bridge at any time, creating traffic havoc in town.

"I think the state should be ashamed that this job has not been done," Selectman Mary Rose Dickhaut said.

Mr. McGown said the delays are attributable to different reasons, including the need for easements and funding.

He said that when work finally does start, possibly early next year, traffic will be restricted to one-way, in alternating shifts, because there is no room on either side of the bridge to create another traffic lane.

Water Street is a major route into town from Bolton and Lancaster.

Selectman Kathleen A. Sheridan requested that CSX railroad be contacted to repair a bumpy railroad crossing off Lancaster Road, near Water Street, before the new traffic patterns start.

Broken library window criticized

FITCHBURG - A boarded-up window at the public library raised the ire of city councilors last night.

Council President Thomas J. Conry Jr. said the broken window facing Main Street has been boarded up for a week. He said it does not set a good example for the rest of the city to see it maintained in that condiion.

"Either the Building Department or the trustees of the library should get that fixed post-haste," Mr. Conry said last night.

Councilor Marcus L. DiNatale agreed, saying it was "a big fallacy" that there was insufficient money to fix the window.

The library budget was cut by 68 percent this year and its operating hours reduced a similar amount.

Mayor Lisa A. Wong said the window will be fixed but because it involves a public building several bids must be sought before the repair can be made.

Meeting for Ward 6 scheduled

FITCHBURG - A meeting for the residents of Ward 6 has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday at the St. Francis Church hall on Sheridan Street.

City Councilor Jody M. Joseph said Police Chief Robert A. DeMoura has been invited, and the...