BET approves $1.06 million interim for North Street Bridge rehabilitation; bonding resolution relayed to RTM

The Board of Estimate and Taxation voted unanimously Jan. 20 to approve PW3, an additional appropriation for the North Street Bridge rehabilitation, and to pass a bonding resolution to support project timing.

Miss Ericson, reporting the budget committee’s recommendation, said the project has about $3.7 million available and that bids opened in mid-December produced a lowest bid of roughly $3.8 million. "The total cost of the project is 4.76 million, which includes construction costs, inspections, testing, and a 15% contingency," she said, adding that almost all but about $500,000 will be reimbursable through a state grant program.

The BET conducted a roll-call vote on the appropriation; the clerk recorded 12 votes in favor, 0 opposed. Members then moved FI5, a bonding resolution prepared in consultation with bond counsel to address timing issues. Joan Lynch, the town controller, told the board that because the state grant reimbursement is expected the town does not anticipate drawing on bond proceeds. The BET approved the bonding resolution by unanimous voice vote. The clerk will relay the vote to the Representative Town Meeting, which is acting on the matter that evening.

The bridge work will require a temporary closure of a lower section of North Street near Cottwood Road, and the contractor has a $200,000 incentive to reopen the road by the end of August before school resumes, the budget committee report said.

Next steps: contracts will be executed and, once paperwork is complete, grant reimbursement is expected to follow.