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Council hears schedule and funding plan for street repairs, Donella intersection work planned
Summary
Public works reported an upcoming program of pothole patching, crack sealing and a multi-culvert/Donella intersection project tied to budgeted reserves and a previously approved $2.3 million street allocation; staff warned the Donella intersection closure will require detours.
Public works staff updated the council on street maintenance and upcoming capital work, saying the town will continue pothole patching and perform crack sealing as temperatures cool. Staff said a previously budgeted allocation (approximately $2.3 million) for street projects remains in the capital plan and that work will begin in the coming months.
The city engineer is vetting bids for the Donella intersection and four or five culvert crossing repairs; staff received seven bid solicitations and three bid responses so far. Staff said Donella is expected to be one of the first projects and that the intersection will need to be closed during construction; detours and signage will be deployed and the town will notify the public in advance.
Public works also described a maintenance approach that includes using accumulated sales-tax-derived street funds and reserves to perform chip-seal and other preventive maintenance on streets that remain in better condition so the town can extend pavement life without the structural cost of full reconstruction. Staff emphasized that chip-seal and similar treatments preserve pavement by sealing cracks and preventing water intrusion but do not add structural strength. The council and staff discussed funding sources (reserves, sales-tax street fund and potential loans/bonds) and the preference to avoid bonds by using reserves when feasible.
During the discussion staff said some street projects previously budgeted but not completed in prior years (e.g., Donella) were re-budgeted as part of the current plan for FY25–26. Council asked staff to provide notices and timelines to residents about closures and detours when construction begins.
