Somerset council approves Dewberry engagement to engineer three ARPA-funded sidewalk hotspots

Somerset — The Town Council voted to approve Dewberry’s proposal for surveying, planning and engineering work to address three high-priority sidewalk hotspots and to begin townwide survey and design tasks that will feed a multi-year sidewalk and curb program.

Council discussion focused on how to spend $600,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that must be obligated over the coming budget cycle. The town manager and Dewberry presented a phased plan that would prioritize design and construction for three sites — the Cumberland & Surrey intersection, the Deal/Cumberland intersection and the 4800 block of Essex steep slope — with combined survey/engineering and construction estimates of roughly $360,000. Kevin of Dewberry said, “They could probably all be done in a single year,” when asked about delivery time.

Why it matters: Council members stressed the dual priorities of using ARPA funds before the deadline and ensuring sufficient engineering design so residents can visualize trade-offs, such as tree impacts and stormwater constraints. One council member said the town should avoid spending all ARPA money on engineering alone because that could leave insufficient capital for construction; another favored front-loading design to reduce later budget uncertainty. The manager presented options for distributing remaining ARPA funds and using capital budgets in subsequent years.

What the council approved: The motion — moved from the dais to authorize Dewberry to begin surveying and engineering work and to issue notices to proceed for engineering elements, plus survey/engineering and construction for the three hotspots — passed after clarifying that Dewberry will be given discrete notices to proceed for different elements. The town attorney confirmed the council’s direction to the manager to issue those notices.

Details and timing: Dewberry’s team estimated three to five months for design and additional weeks for permitting; construction of the first work packages could proceed within roughly 12 months when designs and permits are complete. Council members and staff discussed the need for a community charrette for the Cumberland extension so residents can review design options and tree impacts prior to construction.

Next steps: Staff will issue notices to proceed consistent with the council vote, proceed with the charrette and return with refined cost estimates and a schedule that aligns ARPA spending deadlines with engineering and construction milestones.