Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure And Grants topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Town administrator updates board: hiring, bridge timelines and $750,000 for Veterans Field project
Summary
Town Administrator Jim told the board the town is filling several vacancies, Bunker Hill Bridge work is complete with minor spring follow-ups, and the Veterans Field playground is supported by roughly $750,000 in grant funding (about $500,000 STEAP plus a $250,000 legislative appropriation) pending execution of state documents.
Town Administrator Jim told the Board of Finance on Dec. 17 that several key municipal positions are being recruited and that the town is working quickly to fill the assistant assessor and treasurer roles.
He also reported that the Bunker Hill Bridge is open; remaining items such as striping, seeding and two drainage swale pavings were deferred until warmer weather. "Those are the three main items for the spring," Jim said.
On recreation grants, Jim said the Veterans Field project is fully grant-driven: roughly $500,000 in a STEAP-type grant and a $250,000 legislative appropriation are available, plus about $10,000 from the Hartford Foundation. The playground equipment vendor received a purchase order to lock pricing; Jim said the legislative appropriation requires a financial assistance agreement from the Department of Economic and Community Development and must be expended by late spring per the agency timeline.
Jim also summarized other infrastructure and grant items: Long Hill bridge design consultants have been selected (SLR) and contractor bids are due in early January with a selection expected mid-January and construction likely in spring; the senior transportation (municipal hub) grant showed a cost discrepancy (an $83,000 figure may reflect a kit price versus a stick-built cost) that the town will clarify with the contractor.
He added operational notes: a fuel contract was signed at favorable prices and minor banking administrative issues with MNT Bank were resolved. The town also received a draft Plan of Conservation and Development and invited board members to a February meeting to provide comments.
Next steps: town staff will continue recruitment of key positions, clarify the senior hub budget with the contractor, and pursue the DEC agreements needed to draw down the $250,000 legislative appropriation for Veterans Field.
