Lancaster Select Board votes to delay 2026 paving amid Colonel Town repair concerns

The Lancaster Select Board voted May 18 to postpone awarding 2026 paving contracts after members said unanticipated repair needs at the Colonel Town recreation facilities require immediate attention.

Select Board Chair Kathy-Jean Lavoie said the board could not responsibly award paving bids while the town faces building issues at Colonel Town. "I cannot award the bids with what I know about Colonel Town at this time," Lavoie said during the discussion. Selectman Shane Beattie supported delaying paving to prioritize repairs; Selectman Leon Rideout argued that paving and building repairs are separate budget priorities and opposed postponing pavement work.

The motion — "to not pave" — was made by Selectman Beattie, seconded by Selectman Lavoie, and passed with Beattie and Lavoie voting yes and Rideout voting no.

Town Manager Jessica Cyr and department staff had been asked to bring more detailed cost estimates for Colonel Town to the next work session so the board can weigh those repair costs against roadway projects. Residents had also submitted correspondence about the Burnside Street/Governors Terrace area, which board members discussed while weighing competing priorities.

The vote does not permanently cancel paving projects; it defers awarding contracts until the board reviews facility repair estimates and clarifies budget impacts. Board members debated whether some sidewalk or paving items with limited local support could be removed from the paving list while higher-priority needs at Colonel Town are addressed.

Next steps: staff will present Colonel Town repair findings at a future work session, and the board may revisit paving awards after that information is available.