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DPW reports storm cleanup progress, paving plans and Surfside bike‑path work; Old Navy cleanup finished within scope
Summary
DPW director Drew Patnau updated the committee on storm cleanup priorities (potholes, tree removal, clearing branches), expected reopening of the asphalt plant, targeted spring paving stretches, the Surfside transportation project timeline (drainage largely complete and binder/surfacing planned; major work through 2027), and completion of Wixon Construction's Old Navy cleanup with ~800 plantings planned for restoration.
Drew Patnau, director of the Department of Public Works, briefed the Committee on seasonal operations, storm‑cleanup progress and several capital projects.
Patnau said DPW's top priorities after recent storms are "pothole patrol," tree removal and clearing branches and sand from bike paths and sidewalks. He told the committee the local asphalt plant is expected to reopen soon, allowing crews to move from cold patch to more permanent pavement repairs.
On paving priorities, he listed two priority stretches on Pulpus Road, a section of Cliff Road and a full-length plan for York Street (Union to Orange, Orange to Pleasant, Pleasant to Prospect). Patnau described a pilot for cold‑in‑place recycling for a corridor outside town; the technique recycles existing pavement, reduces emissions and stretches capital dollars.
Patnau also updated the committee on the Surfside area transportation project: drainage on Lovers Lane and Monahanset Road is complete or nearly complete, gravel subbase and binder courses are scheduled this spring, and staff expect final paving phases into the fall with the project on a multi‑year schedule aimed at substantial completion by summer 2027. He noted the project includes about 2.4 miles of new bike paths and described the overall Surfside program as a large, multi‑million dollar effort.
On the Old Navy beach cleanup, Patnau reported that contractor Wixon Construction completed the debris removal within the original project scope, expanded the cleanup where the contract allowed and installed a ramp to facilitate future equipment access. He said roughly 800 plantings will be installed to restore disturbed areas and that staff plan to seek a phase‑two authorization at a future town meeting to address areas south of the bunker.
Patnau said several projects are close to bid (New Town Road; Tom Nevers bike path once easements are finalized) and asked for continued committee coordination as engineering moves toward construction. The committee thanked DPW for cleanup progress and for managing multiple overlapping projects during the busy spring season.
Patnau closed by offering to keep the committee updated as schedules firm up and invited members to contact DPW with site‑specific concerns.
