Council presses to keep West Main development and multimodal plan moving; CT Transit bus extension discussed

Cheshire councilors emphasized keeping momentum on West Main Street redevelopment and asked staff to fold multimodal transportation deliverables into the town manager’s objectives.

Councilor Greg Wolf framed West Main as both a cultural and economic opportunity tied to the new bandshell. “I just wanna make sure that we as a group focus on the West Main Street business district and make sure that that keeps some momentum,” he said, urging either an expanded charge for the existing performing/arts committee or a new cultural-arts commission to coordinate events, marketing, and public-art projects.

Members discussed the form‑based code developed with state grant funding and a consultant: scope includes building form, parking placement, streetscape design, signage and traffic solutions. Councilors stressed coordination among the planning-and-zoning process, the consultant work supported by a BAR planning grant, and the multimodal transportation study to avoid uncoordinated outcomes.

On transit, staff and CT Transit representatives said integrating CT Transit’s plans into the town’s multimodal study was an explicit objective and that CT Transit is prioritizing service to the North End and a transfer point there. Council asked Town Manager Sean to record steps and stakeholder conversations (with DOT, CT Transit and consultants) so the council can see progress and next actions toward potential implementation.

The council requested that multimodal deliverables include a clear list of outreach steps, implementation responsibilities and measurable interim milestones so the manager can report back during the budget cycle.