Town to ask voters to authorize $1.161 million to replace Hatchtown Bridge

Select board members told the Bristol budget committee they will place a warrant article before town voters on Jan. 29 asking to borrow up to $1,161,000 to fully replace the Hatchtown Bridge.

The select board said it accepted a bid from CPM Construction for $1,161,000 contingent on town meeting approval and that the project requires ordering long‑lead steel now to keep the bridge construction on this year’s schedule. A select board member said, “If it’s not approved until March, the bridge won’t be able to be built this year,” and urged the committee to support the article so the contractor can lock in pricing.

Under the plan presented to the committee, the town would finance the work for 10 years at an estimated interest rate of 5.73 percent. The select board provided an estimated total interest cost of about $372,464 and cited an annual payment estimate of roughly $153,346 (figures presented by the board at the meeting). Members discussed using expected FEMA reimbursements for storm work (the board reported road FEMA claims totaling roughly $533,000 and an additional cleanup claim of roughly $210,000, with an expectation of about 90 percent recovery) to offset town outlays, but the board emphasized FEMA funds are not guaranteed and cannot be counted on until received.

The board explained the replacement would require a detour and said it had chosen not to pursue additional property takings to avoid keeping one lane open. The project includes demolition of the existing 1941 structure, site work and a full replacement; the bid contains standard contingencies and unit rates for additional concrete should footings require more material once excavation begins.

Select board members said the engineering estimate had been higher ($1.46M), that they received two bids with CPM Construction the lower, and that approving the article now would let the town order critical materials and avoid likely price increases. Committee members asked about the town’s overall debt level and the potential effect on annual road maintenance budgets; the board responded that the town plans to blend the bridge debt into its road capital program and that some non‑critical maintenance items may be deferred during the repayment period.

The committee voted to recommend Article Two (the bridge borrowing authorization) to the warrant by voice vote during the meeting; the select board will present the full warrant language and financial statement at the special town meeting.

What happens next: the select board will put the article on the Jan. 29 special town meeting warrant. If voters approve the authorization, the town will proceed with ordering long‑lead materials and executing the contract; if voters decline, the board warned the project likely will be delayed and could cost more in a later construction season.