Marlborough moves forward on Quinn Road culvert replacement and sidewalk grants; town cost estimates clarified

The Town of Marlborough Board of Selectmen on June 16 authorized town staff to move ahead with a municipal resolution needed to replace a culvert on Quinn Road and received grant updates for two sidewalk projects.

Peter Hughes, director of planning and development, told the board that the Quinn Road culvert replacement requires easements for 12 Quinn Road and that the TRIP grant for the culvert is $1,550,000 on a 50/50 state-town split. Hughes said bids are due at the end of June and he expects a notice of award in July. He also briefed the board on Lake Road (a TRIP grant of $341,000) and Cheney Road (a Connectivity Grant), each with a town responsibility of roughly $80,000 for local match. Hughes said Cheney Road construction will not affect stone walls and will begin in late fall or the following spring after property-owner notices.

Ms. Susan McFarland, chair, motioned to instruct the town clerk to sign a Certified Municipal Resolution to move the Quinn Road project forward after removing or replacing the phrase “and will continue indefinitely” from the document’s third paragraph. The board later authorized the clerk to sign the resolution as presented. All motions at this agenda item carried with unanimous votes.

Why it matters: the Quinn Road culvert is a major capital project for the town with a sizable grant that requires local matching and easements; the Lake and Cheney sidewalk projects will also require town funds for the local match and residents will be notified before work begins.

What’s next: Hughes expects to issue a notice of award for the culvert project in July, and construction of sidewalks is scheduled for late fall or spring depending on bid timing and coordination with property owners.