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Resident urges curb replacement during imminent Salesville Highlands repaving; town says plan will consider curbs
Summary
Salesville Highlands resident Kevin Simpson asked the Budget Board to include curb replacement when the neighborhood’s long‑overdue repaving occurs this summer after gas‑line work. Town officials said curb decisions are evaluated case‑by‑case and that a town 50/50 curb program and pavement assessment guide work prioritization.
Kevin Simpson, a Salesville Highlands resident, told the Budget Board that many curbs in his neighborhood are disintegrated and that the town’s upcoming repaving project (timed to follow Rhode Island Energy gas‑line work) should include curb replacement rather than leaving degraded curbs in place.
Simpson said the last repaving of parts of the Highlands was in 1987 and that curbs that are failing worsen drainage, pose safety issues for pedestrians and cyclists, and may lower property values. ‘‘We’re simply asking for the same level of service that other repaved areas of town have received,’’ Simpson said. He noted a long‑standing curb and sidewalk repair line in the town budget that historically shows about $50,000 and suggested the board consider scaling funds to match the coming repaving work or reopen the town’s 50/50 curb program to expedite repairs.
Town Administrator Phil Gould and Director of Public Works Leslie Quish responded that curb replacement is addressed in the town’s paving and pavement‑condition prioritization. Quish said the town has replaced some curbs with concrete where deterioration and stormwater concerns justify the investment; elsewhere the town sometimes installs asphalt curbing if that is the most appropriate, cost‑effective treatment. Gould noted utility work timing matters — many roads are repaved after utility crews finish — and that some homeowners can pursue the town’s 50/50 curb program to accelerate replacement.
Ending: The board asked staff to follow up with Simpson and review whether curb work can be coordinated with the scheduled repaving to achieve economies of scale; DPW staff said they will review specific streets and advise the board on options and costs.
