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MassDOT awards funding for Madbrook Road bridge; selectmen authorize counsel contact on abutter notices
Summary
MassDOT awarded construction funding for the Madbrook Road bridge project; the board approved authorization for staff to consult town counsel on right-of-way/abutter notification and discussed estimated project costs and contingency limits.
The Board of Selectmen on March 10 said MassDOT has approved construction funding for the Madbrook Road bridge under the MassDOT Small Bridge Program, a development town officials called “good news.” Chair (speaker 1) said the award letter included an estimated project cost that was discussed during the meeting — an initial figure of $1,000,875 was mentioned and later referenced as $1,875,000 during the update.
Why it matters: The award clears a major funding hurdle for replacing a bridge that town officials said is in poor condition and will require right-of-way work and abutter notifications before legal advertising and bidding can proceed.
Town staff and the project engineer, Micah Morrison of BSC Group, told the board the estimate includes all bid items and a 10% construction contingency and that the award letter allows up to $75,000 for construction engineering services. Staff recommended securing permissions and confirming right-of-way notices with town counsel and advised involving the MassDOT district bridge engineer (identified in the award letter as Mohammed Nabulski) during bid preparation.
The board voted to authorize the administrative assistant to contact town counsel to obtain legal advice on notifying abutters and addressing right-of-way issues before the town proceeds with advertising the project. Chair said the step was intended to ensure the town has the necessary permissions in place during permitting and prior to construction.
Town officials said they will coordinate with the assigned BSC Group engineer and MassDOT representatives ahead of preparing the formal bid package and legal advertisement. No contract award or final construction contract was executed at the meeting; the action authorized only legal/administrative follow-up.
Provenance: The bridge funding announcement and related discussion were reported beginning with the Madbrook update and bridge engineer remarks during the meeting.
