Conduit Installation for New TD Bank Branch Will Include Curb-to-Curb Paving

National Grid and TD Bank will undertake curb-to-curb paving of a portion of West Foster Street and of the square at the intersection of Main Street and West Foster Street, after they complete the work to run a new conduit to the new TD Bank branch at 476 Main St. in the former MASS Bank building.

The request for the work first went before the Melrose Board of Aldermen on Feb. 7, when Ward 3 Alderman Frank Wright stated his concern that a cut and patch job would soon pull up and lead to a deteriorating roadway. Alderman at-Large Mary Beth McAteer Margolis added that the city only repaved that section of Main Street two-to-three years ago. Wright moved to amend the order to require curb-to-curb paving of the affected areas.

After the order went to the Public Works Committee, which recommended the amended order, and the alderman sought input from Melrose Public Works Superintendent Bob Beshara, the order came back before the board on Monday night.

National Grid representative John Jankowski told the board that National Grid will take care of paving the intersection, while TD Bank will take care of paving West Foster Street.

"I really, and I know the rest of the board, appreciates that you've been able to convince National Grid and the bank to step up to the plate," McAteer said to Jankowski.

In a worst-case scenario, the entire project—including paving—will take two weeks, Jankowski said.

"They can do it sometimes a week or maybe even three days," he said. "It’s really dependent on the other utilities in the ground."

Jankowski said the start date would be determined both by the weather and whether asphalt plants—which typically close in November and open again around April—open earlier than usual once the weather warms up, thus allowing the paving to be done immediately after the conduit is run to the bank, rather than leaving the street dug up until the plants open.

"I'm sure TD Bank is anxious to get started," he said.