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Highway superintendent outlines Main Street drainage work, funding gaps and short closures
Summary
Highway Superintendent Tom Ferry said drainage work on Main Street is about two-thirds complete, with remaining drainage, milling and permanent patching planned this summer; he flagged ARPA invoice deadlines, estimated sidewalk costs at roughly $1.2 million and identified a $750,000 federal grant request in progress.
Tom Ferry, Dighton’s highway superintendent, told the Select Board that the town completed more than half of Main Street’s drainage improvements and expects to finish most work this year, while permanent milling and patching are scheduled for July.
Ferry said drainage work uses portions of existing structures and adds gutter lines that will align with a future sidewalk and includes water-quality units where the river crosses Main Street. He told the board that some work is funded with ARPA and cautioned that invoices for certain funds must be submitted by Sept. 1.
Board members discussed funding gaps for the project: Ferry and others said sidewalk work was estimated at roughly $1.2 million and that combined paving and sidewalk needs likely exceed $1.7 million. Members described pursuing grants: Ferry described a $750,000 congressional grant application for Main Street improvements and noted a separate $350,000 EPA grant request for a bank and power-plant area; both were described as early-stage efforts. Ferry said final overlay paving should be deferred an additional winter cycle to maximize longevity; milling and permanent patching will proceed this season.
Residents and board members asked for a short public communication plan that lists funded work and what residents can expect this summer and fall; Ferry agreed to provide a memo with timelines and a plan to post updates on the town website and social media. Resident Leonard Hog also asked about the town’s Chapter 90 allocation for FY27 and requested better advance notice for road closures; the board agreed to follow up with details at a future meeting.
Ferry confirmed the town has two digital signs available for advance road-closing notices and supported a focused pavement-management effort (either a subcommittee or use of existing capital/finance committees) to prioritize projects and funding.
The board did not take a formal vote on funding at the meeting; members asked staff to prepare a communication plan and further financial details for future meetings.
