BOS to look at blocking off downtown for outdoor dining

Update: At its June 23 meeting, the board opted against the idea of closing a portion of Washington Street for outdoor dining. Instead board members voted to allow Town Administrator Charlie Aspinwall and Select Board Vice Chair Mike Loughran to work out an agreement with the owners of CF McCarthy’s for additional sidewalk dining that could accommodate more two- and four-seat tables. See more info in the June 25 edition of the Canton Citizen.

***

Selectmen want to help downtown restaurant owners who would like additional outdoor seating and have authorized a process to quicken application approvals.

In addition, selectmen, at their June 9 remote meeting, authorized a planning subcommittee to look at blocking off downtown Canton from Revere to Church streets from Thursday to Sunday nights or a combination of nights to accommodate more outdoor dining.

The middle strip of Washington Street would be set aside for use by emergency vehicles and pedestrians. The idea was supported by selectmen and by Police Chief Ken Berkowitz and Fire Chief Charles Doody, who spoke of similar plans now underway in Norwood.

Under Phase 2 of the state’s reopening of businesses, outdoor restaurant seating is allowed with approval from the community. In later stages of Phase 2 or Phase 3, depending on health conditions, restaurants may be granted access to resume indoor seating at 50 percent capacity.

Wanting more immediate action, Selectmen Chair Chris Connolly suggested ways that the board could help downtown restaurant owners who do not already have approved outdoor dining spaces.

As of Wednesday morning, June 10, restaurant owners could start applying for the outdoor seating space with applications available on the town website. Selectmen authorized Town Administrator Charlie Aspinwall to approve the application, subject to inspections by Building Commissioner Ed Walsh and Board of Health Director Barbara Reardon. Walsh said he has already begun to look at some downtown locations and noted that a restaurant such as C.F. McCarthy’s would currently have room for two seated tables.

Selectmen formed the subcommittee to look at outdoor seating possibilities that would allow for private parking lot dining and waived all fees under the jurisdiction of selectmen. The subcommittee looking into a block party-style plan would consist of Walsh, Reardon, Doody, Berkowitz, and Selectman Mike Loughran and would seek input from the Downtown Business Association. The subcommittee’s report is due back to selectmen at their next meeting on June 23.

Selectman Mark Porter suggested that the committee also investigate how downtown residents would be affected and how they would get to their homes during impacted hours.

Town Counsel Paul DeRensis said if the block party were to occur, selectmen would need paperwork from businesses showing the property for additional seating is adjacent to the premises and selectmen would have to have a solution for liability issues to protect the town in the event that someone were to be injured.

Selectman Tom Theodore suggested that the board could consider a one-week trial program to see if it was successful and determine how long it should run …

See this week’s Canton Citizen to continue reading and for more highlights from the June 9 selectmen’s meeting.

Special Promotion: $30 for 1 year or $50 for 2 years for new in-town subscribers. Click here to order your subscription today.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=68017

Posted by Mike Berger on Jun 12 2020. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.