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Surry board taps Seeve & Maher for Newbury Neck pre‑construction work; approves FEMA cost allowances
Summary
The Select Board unanimously appointed Seeve & Maher Engineers for Newbury Neck storm‑evacuation pre‑construction work and approved FEMA allowances that cover most costs for Cross Road/Emerton Brook and Newbury Neck repairs and mitigation; FEMA is allowing higher totals than the town has spent and will reimburse 90% of approved costs.
At its March 5 meeting the Select Board appointed Seeve & Maher Engineers to perform pre‑construction work on the Newbury Neck storm‑evacuation project, citing the firm’s coastal experience and stated sensitivity to wetlands and beach access.
Chris Stark told the board the firm has 34 years of civil design experience and has worked on coastal projects from Cumberland to Eastport; he said Seeve & Maher emphasized preserving parking and beach access while staying within Maine Department of Environmental Protection constraints. Tom Welgoss moved to appoint the firm; Chris Stark seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The board also reviewed FEMA cost approvals tied to recent storm work. Tom Welgoss said the town has expended about $200,000; FEMA is allowing $430,000 in total, which includes mitigation and prior spending, with FEMA covering 90% of allowed costs and the town responsible for the remaining 10%.
Two specific FEMA allowances were presented and approved by motion: a $30,000 allowance for Cross Road/Emerton Brook cleanup and repairs (the board noted $11,000 of that had already been paid by the town), and a $231,000 allowance for Newbury Neck repairs and mitigation (the transcript notes the town previously expended $111,000 on Newbury Neck work, and the $231,000 figure includes additional mitigation and remaining work).
Why it matters: the engineering selection sets the consultant who will shape pre‑construction plans affecting wetlands, parking and beach access. The FEMA allowances expand approved funding for local repairs and mitigation but leave the town with roughly 10% of approved costs as its share.
Board members did not detail a project timeline at the meeting; the appointment and FEMA approvals were recorded as unanimous votes.
