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Avon Council approves discontinuance of Old Farms Road rights-of-way, hears design updates and grant progress
Summary
The Avon Town Council voted to accept the discontinuance of rights-of-way along the re‑aligned section of Old Farms Road and heard WMC Consulting Engineers present a revised east/west design that increases bridge span to avoid stream realignment and certain state permits; staff reported $3.6 million in awarded grants and further grant applications pending.
The Avon Town Council voted May 7 to accept the discontinuance of rights‑of‑way along the old alignment of Old Farms Road, clearing the way for final design and permitting for Phase II of the project.
Town Engineer Larry Baril told the Council the Town received property from Avon Old Farms School necessary for the new section and has an agreement to return parts of the road the Town no longer needs. WMC Consulting Engineer Bob Barneschi presented the Phase II East/West concept, describing a proposed 24‑foot roadway with a 4‑foot grass median snow shelf, a 10‑foot bituminous multi‑use trail on the south side, living retaining walls, and protective fencing. "We’re going to a 32‑foot span and allow water to pass through one opening," Barneschi said, explaining the larger bridge reduces environmental impacts by avoiding stream channel realignment and the need for additional permitting.
The revised design eliminates previously proposed 48‑inch RCP bypass pipes, reduces the project’s environmental permitting burdens (including avoidance of a DEEP diversion permit and, in the consultants’ view, a Letter of Map Revision), and expands bridge abutments and foundations where needed. Councilors asked about wildlife and vernal pool impacts; Councilor Barthel noted a heavy amphibian crossing in March and asked staff to investigate culvert or crossing solutions.
Why it matters: The design change aims to shorten the schedule and regulatory risk by leaving the stream alignment in place, while providing a wider, safer roadway and a separated multi‑use trail to connect neighborhoods to the Farmington Canal Trail. Baril told the Council the team has applied for multiple grants: $3.6 million already approved, an $800,000 Community Connectivity Grant awarded, and a LOTCIP application for $5 million currently ranked fourth among contenders.
Councilors also discussed cost and grant dependence. Chairman Polhamus praised staff for reducing the projected mill‑rate impact and said the town will continue pursuing grant funding to lower the local share. The WMC slide deck presented an anticipated schedule that includes local inland wetlands submissions in June 2026 and 90% design completion in January 2027, with final submissions timed to permit determinations.
Next steps: The Council previously approved the legal discontinuance and will advance permitting and final design. Staff will continue to seek grant funding, evaluate wildlife crossing measures at the vernal pool, and proceed with permitting milestones if approvals follow the anticipated timeline.
