Fayetteville authorizes mayor to sign engineering contract for Franklin Street Bridge grant

The Village of Fayetteville Board of Trustees authorized the mayor to sign a resolution and corresponding engineering contract to advance design and right‑of‑way work for the Franklin Street Bridge, a federally funded project administered through the New York State Department of Transportation.

Lori explained the next step is paying for preliminary engineering and permitting: the immediate contract before the board is for approximately $240,000 in engineering costs, of which the village’s share is $12,000 (5 percent). She told trustees the full construction award on the project was described in the grant materials as about $1.54 million, but the current contract is limited to planning, final engineering and permitting; construction would follow in a later contract and could require bonding or other financing.

Trustees pressed staff on reimbursement timing and exposure if federal funding were delayed. Lori said the village would not spend construction dollars until a contract and reimbursement commitments are in place, and that other options to bridge timing (short‑term borrowing, water‑fund use, future bond anticipation notes) had been discussed. The board also noted the project will require right‑of‑way coordination with utility owners, particularly National Grid, which adds permitting complexity and potential cost.

Trustee discussion concluded with a motion to authorize the mayor to sign resolution No. 2025‑0428 and the initial documents to secure the $240,000 engineering contract; the motion passed on a voice vote. Trustees asked staff to report back with contract copies and regular updates on schedule and funding status as the state and federal contracting process advances.

The authorization preserves the village’s ability to receive the grant award and begin design work while limiting immediate village exposure to the engineering phase.