Board approves $1.8456 million state grant for Bus Post Road sidewalks and crosswalks

The Board of Finance voted on Feb. 18 to accept a $1,845,600 state local capital grant to fund sidewalk and crosswalk improvements along Bus Post Road.

Chair introduced the item and members moved and seconded the motion; the board approved the grant by voice/hand vote.

Town staff discussed the town's share and responsibilities. "So far we've already spent about 140,000 on planning and engineering," Stacy said, identifying planning and engineering costs the town has incurred to date. Board members asked whether the grant would create ongoing town budget obligations: staff said the bulk of the project funding is covered by the state grant, though relocation of utilities — private and municipal — and some design and planning expenses would fall to the town. Members also discussed that an encroachment-permit review could take as long as 12 months; staff said engineers had begun preliminary work and the plan is to put the project out to bid by fall, although timing could slip into next spring depending on permitting and utility coordination.

Chair and other members clarified that some planning and prior CIP approvals covered earlier consultant work but that tonight's vote was to accept the $1,845,600 grant award and proceed with local oversight.

What happens next: with the grant accepted, staff will proceed with final design and permitting; the board did not record a formal breakdown of future municipal costs beyond the planning funds already spent. Public records or subsequent staff reports should show any further allocations, utility agreements, and bid schedules.

Ending: The motion carried and the meeting advanced to a review of financials.