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Vinalhaven selectmen hear update on downtown work; parking-lot bid paused pending waterfront funding
Summary
The Board of Selectmen heard that contractor JBI has finished initial downtown work and will move to the Fishermen’s Co-op area, creating single-lane traffic and a temporary closure; boat launches are nearly finished, temporary water lines are expected in June, and the parking-lot phase is paused until a July funding announcement.
The Vinalhaven Board of Selectmen on May 19 received an update on the town’s downtown waterfront reconstruction project and was told the parking-lot phase has been put on hold pending a July funding announcement.
Gabe McPhail told the board that contractor JBI has completed work for now in front of the Public Safety Building and will move to the catch basin near the Fishermen’s Co-op, where single-lane traffic and a temporary road closure are expected. McPhail said JBI plans to apply calcium chloride to control dust and expects to set up temporary water lines sometime in June. He added that the boat launches are complete except for paving the approaches.
Millie Martin said she spoke with JBI about supplying flaggers for single-lane traffic areas. Selectman Eric Gasperini pressed for at least one side of the parking lot to remain accessible to fishermen, and said he would contact Kevin to confirm access. Selectman Pam Alley raised the town’s Fourth of July plans; Martin said the hope is to use the parking lot with minimal rearranging and that backup options are being considered.
Town materials show the parking-lot phase is on pause while the town awaits details about the federal Public Working Waterfront Infrastructure Fund, which is expected to be announced in July; the project team plans to rebid the parking lot work in the fall if the town does not secure the grant. The update did not include contract amounts or a specific schedule for the rebid.
The board did not record a separate formal vote on the operations described in the update; members asked staff to continue coordinating with the contractor and to ensure fishermen maintain reasonable access during construction.
