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Select Board leans toward alternate paving list as Chapter 90 increase boosts road funds
Summary
Highway staff presented the fiscal year paving plan and said increased Chapter 90 allocations could add roughly $200,000 to Hampden’s pavement budget; after discussion the board indicated support for an alternate list of streets in place of resurfacing Wilbraham Road this year to spread funds across overdue sections and safety‑related work.
Select Board members and highway staff discussed Hampden’s 2025 paving list at the May 19 meeting and signaled support for an alternate set of roads rather than resurfacing Wilbraham Road as the only major main‑road candidate this year.
Highway staff described a projected increase in Chapter 90 funds for the fiscal year that would raise Hampden’s allotment by roughly $200,000 (projected allotment around $429,000 versus the typical ~$250,000). “Reason being is Chapter 90… it appears they’re going to be loading those accounts,” the highway speaker said, explaining the larger budget assumptions in the draft paving plan.
Staff identified Wilbraham Road (from Raymond Drive to First Ave) as a main thoroughfare needing resurfacing but noted recent work and camera inspections on drainage lines along the corridor. The highway representative said some sections had required deep drainage inspection and that a log removed from a conduit had delayed work while the camera could not pass.
Facing higher available funds, the board discussed alternatives and a staff memo proposed an alternate package that would instead cover multiple overdue side streets (e.g., sections off Mill Road, Glendale/Ames segments and smaller jobs such as Redo Ridge Road and Bryant Court). A Select Board member said, “I’d say we’d go with the alternate list,” and other members agreed too, noting the benefit of completing several overdue roads and the strategic advantage of resurfacing main roads to keep utilities from trenching them frequently.
The town also reviewed the Ballard Brook / South Road bridge project. Highway staff said consultants (VHB) plan to put the job out to bid soon and that the town expects to bid in fall or next spring, with construction timing intended to avoid high‑impact winter months; staff emphasized the need to maintain traffic during the project. The Board asked staff to confirm timing and traffic control plans when the project is advertised and to continue seeking possible additional state funding if the project estimate produces a shortfall.
Ending: The board directed highway staff to proceed with the alternate paving list in lieu of Wilbraham Road resurfacing this year, continue pre‑bid coordination for Ballard Brook project and report back with final cost estimates and timing.
