Alton selectmen approve $70,840 culvert relining project, direct homeowner options for private repairs

The Alton Board of Selectmen voted May 13 to approve repair work and a purchasing-policy waiver to reline large culvert pipes on a town road, and discussed a separate homeowner’s drainage complaint on Stockbridge Corner Road.

Public Works Director Seth told the board the pipes at the Hermit Road (project described in packet as Olvette on Permit Road) location are deep — “40, 45 feet in the ground” — and roughly 90 feet long. Because of depth and length, conventional open-cut replacement is impractical, he said, and DPW solicited specialty quotes for cured-in-place relining and HDPE sliplining. Seth described two approaches: a cured-fiberglass pull-in-place method and a fused HDPE liner that is pulled or pushed through the existing pipe and then grouted in the annular space. He said the HDPE option would likely require excavating a guardrail, walking equipment down the bank and pushing a 32-inch or, if needed, a 30-inch smooth-bore pipe through the existing corrugated pipe before pumping flowable grout to fill voids.

Seth said the grout process carries some uncertainty because crews cannot always see where grout migrates once pumping begins; engineering review and a Department of Environmental Services (DES) permit-by-notification would be required for the grout portion. He advised that headwalls will need reworking and concrete stabilization at the outlets. Quotes from contractors produced a project estimate; the board approved $70,840 for the project (including quoted construction and permitting/engineering estimates) and waived the three-bid requirement because firms that perform this specialty work do not reliably bid under the town’s standard solicitation process.

Selectmen asked about sizing and contingency. Seth said a 32-inch HDPE would be preferred but a 30-inch would work because the smooth-bore HDPE outflows the corrugated pipe. He said HDPE typically carries a 50-to-75-year material life warranty; grout longevity was not specified. Seth said the contractor would first inspect the line in place to better measure joints before committing to the final installation approach.

A separate agenda item involved a written complaint from a homeowner (Mr. Sarpano) about pooling and drainage at 102 Stockbridge Corner Road. Seth told the board he inspected that corrugated metal culvert and reported it is long-standing and part of the road’s drainage. He told the homeowner he could regrade or better define the outlet on his own property; the town will allow an extension or private work only if a maintenance agreement is executed so responsibilities are clear. The board directed staff to notify the homeowner that the town recognizes the issue, that DPW inspected and advised potential private remedies, and that any private connection to town infrastructure would require a maintenance agreement.

Selectmen voted by voice “Aye” to approve the $70,840 project estimate and to waive bidding requirements for this specialized culvert relining work. Seth was identified as the town agent to manage the work and expend funds from the designated accounts noted in the motion.

DPW and the board said staff will proceed with required permitting and engineering review prior to construction and will return to the board if further approvals are required for scope changes.