Dighton town counsel urges committee to allow conservation‑land easement for Pleasant Street bridge project

Matthew Costa, town counsel for Dighton, told the committee that S 2961 is needed to allow permanent roadway easements impacting conservation land adjacent to the Pleasant Street bridge project. He said the project will enable bridge-deck widening, a sidewalk on the eastern side, guardrail replacement and improved erosion controls and that the total area of conservation land affected would be about 5,514 square feet, immediately adjacent to the roadway.

"The permanent roadway easements that this bill authorizes will advance the public interest by enabling safety improvements," Costa said, adding that the existing layout does not provide pedestrian or bicycle accommodations.

Why it matters: The bill addresses Article 97 constraints on use of conservation land and is tied to a MassDOT-led safety and replacement project that proponents say will improve pedestrian and bicycle access.

What’s next: The committee heard the testimony and no vote was taken in this hearing.