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Orford officials press for clearer oversight, water mitigation on Archertown Road project
Summary
Road Agent Ted Nutter and the town’s Road Committee raised concerns about water mitigation and contractor coordination on Archertown Road Phase II; selectboard members said they will pursue easements and discuss right-of-way issues with a state representative.
Road Agent Ted Nutter and members of the Orford Selectboard urged clearer on-site supervision and better water mitigation measures for Archertown Road Phase II during the board’s July 24 meeting.
Nutter said cross culverts have been installed and a driveway culvert was scheduled for replacement on July 25, and that an underdrain along Blackberry Hill Road is due to be installed next week. He questioned whether the project manager, Jon Armstrong, needs to be on site every day and said he will contact engineer Erin Darrow to discuss when Armstrong’s presence is required. Nutter also said he had not been notified in advance of a recent meeting with contractors, engineers and Selectboard member Chase Kling and told the board he will remind Darrow to contact the town’s highway contact point directly.
Selectboard member Larry Taylor summarized concerns raised by the Road Committee at its July 11 meeting, saying the committee discussed installing geotextile fabric (the committee may request a warrant article to fund the material) and questioned whether the Phase II plan provided adequate water mitigation. The committee suggested that, before some construction steps, stone should have been added to the road bed to improve drainage.
Kevin Follensbee reported on related bridge work: he is coordinating with abutters to obtain easements for the Archertown Road/Jacobs Brook Bridge project and said the town will hold a phone meeting with a state right-of-way representative on July 25 to discuss easement procedures.
Why it matters: the board is responsible for ensuring local road projects manage runoff and protect adjacent properties. Concerns about water mitigation and contractor coordination could affect the project schedule and may prompt the selectboard to seek additional oversight or a warrant article to fund erosion-control materials.
The board did not take a formal vote on the Phase II plans at the meeting; Nutter will follow up with the engineer, and Follensbee will continue work to secure necessary easements.
