Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Town outlines engineering work and grant strategy for dams, culverts and streetscape projects
Summary
Town Administrator Phil Gould and DPW staff told the Budget Board that Handy Pond Dam is under DEM review, that Parr Corporation has been retained for engineering, and that the firm estimated roughly $155,000 for final design work.
Town Administrator Phil Gould and Public Works staff briefed the Budget Board on multiple infrastructure and stormwater initiatives, including an engineering response to a Department of Environmental Management notice of violation for Handy Pond Dam, culvert and roadway work, and several grant‑funded streetscape and recreation projects.
Gould said the town funded preliminary engineering and hired Parr Corporation to survey, perform bathymetry, take embankment borings, complete seepage/stability analysis and hydraulic modeling. Parr has delivered initial findings and estimated roughly $155,000 for final design work to be able to present two conceptual repair options; Gould said construction costs remain unknown and will depend on the option selected and the storm event standard the dam must meet. The DAM matter follows observed overtopping and recent emergency sandbagging to limit further erosion.
On stormwater and property solutions, Gould described ongoing discussions with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) over Blue Avenue properties in a low‑lying area. The NRCS approach would be voluntary demolition of several homes to create a watershed to hold runoff; Gould said homeowners have indicated a willingness to explore the option and the town placed a placeholder of about $700,000 (described in the meeting as a 25% match) in the capital proposal pending further steps.
Other items: the Front Street streetscape project is about 30% complete in design with Carr Corporation and submitted to state reviewers; pickleball courts received a DEM permit and will be advertised for construction; Turner Field was awarded to a design‑build team (FieldTurf) and hopes to start construction in May pending DEM permit. Gould said the town secured multiple grants, including a $750,000 award referenced in the meeting for stormwater work and a separate $2,000,000 Department of Defense PEP award tied to a learning center project on a campus adjacent to rescue/ambulance consolidation plans.
Ending: Town staff said engineering and design work are crucial to position projects for federal and state grant funding and that final construction budgets will follow completed design and permitting work.
