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Selectmen pursue bridge grant after town culvert measured at 16 feet
Summary
After town staff measured a culvert on George Hill Road at 16 feet across — meeting the town's threshold for a bridge — Selectmen directed staff to explore New Hampshire bridge-aid and regional grant options and to coordinate with regional planning partners.
Springfield Selectmen on April 14 were told a culvert on George Hill Road measures 16 feet across, which makes it likely to be classified as a bridge under state guidance, and they agreed to pursue outside funding and technical help for repair.
Whit Smith, who briefed the board, said the New Hampshire Department of Transportation’s Planning and Community Assistance area and the NH Municipal Bridge Aid Program — which allocates about $15 million annually for bridge maintenance and repair — could be sources of funding. He also advised the board that the Northern Borders Regional Commission grants might be an option and recommended enlisting the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission for grant-writing support.
Selectmen recorded several follow-up tasks: Chair Steve Dzubak will follow up with Vice Chair Amy Lewis regarding an environmental grant she has been pursuing, and Tamara will contact the NHDOT Planning and Community Assistance program to get details on possible assistance and eligibility. Smith also flagged the near-term condition of George Hill Road, saying current logging activity and upcoming repair work could further affect the roadway.
The board did not vote on a specific application at the meeting but directed staff to explore grant eligibility and technical assistance. The next procedural steps reported were outreach to NHDOT and coordination with regional planning staff to assess funding and project scope.
