Town of Clayton approves $25,000 to finish ditch clearing and bridge work

Town of Clayton officials voted at a special meeting to appropriate an additional $25,000 from the town’s storm water fund to complete ditch clearing, tree removal beyond the originally contracted area and installation of a bridge near the Swanson property.

The additional appropriation follows earlier approvals: the town previously approved $9,000 for initial clearing and later added $5,000, bringing prior spending or commitments to $14,000. Contractors and town speakers presented two bridge options and additional clearing needs: a culvert option estimated at $15,000 (which they said could be reduced by about $5,000 if shortened from 40 feet to 20 feet) and a wooden bridge option estimated at $8,000. The clearing and dredging beyond the currently worked parcel — including work to the dam on property to the east — was described as a roughly $10,000 item. Meeting participants said the $23,000 figure on the paper represented the combined costs for the two bridge options, and that adjusting the culvert to 20 feet would lower costs.

Town participants described the practical constraints for the culvert option: the ground in the area is very wet and heavy equipment would require rented mats or access pads, which adds cost. The wooden bridge option would avoid renting mats but raised maintenance and longevity questions; the culvert option was discussed as having lower long-term maintenance if installed now. Participants also noted the site’s wetness may require waiting for drier conditions to avoid rental costs unless mats are used.

A motion to appropriate an additional $25,000 for the project was made and seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote; those present signified approval by saying "aye" and no opposition was recorded. Meeting speakers said the $25,000 is the additional appropriation beyond the $9,000 previously approved, and that the total cost for the work now planned would be about $34,000 including prior approvals.

Contractors indicated they will revise the written quote after the board selects the bridge option and final scope, and town speakers noted ownership and long-term maintenance of any new bridge would rest with the town as part of the settlement terms discussed during the meeting.

The discussion also referenced property owners who granted access (including a written permission from a Mr. Woolard) and the Swanson property as the primary bridge location; speakers recalled a bridge there had been removed several years earlier and said restoring a durable crossing would prevent re-growth and recurring maintenance.