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Highway fund and Newark Road bid gap draw questions; FEMA paperwork advancing
Summary
Article 6 proposes $1.6 million in highway expenditures; board members explained the Newark Road project came in above the engineer estimate (bid ~ $2.1M vs. $1.5M estimate), FEMA paperwork was signed and bidding is expected in spring with a two-to-three-month construction window and a sizable detour for nearby residents.
Article 6 asked voters to authorize highway-fund expenditures of $1,601,341. Board members and residents discussed the Newark Road reconstruction: the engineer estimated about $1.5 million while the winning bid from Pike came in at approximately $2.1 million, a difference the board filled from a mix of highway reserves and class-2 highway funds. A town official said, "I signed off some final FEMA documents just last week," and announced optimism that the project could go to bid in spring with construction in mid-summer and a likely 2.5–3 month detour for Newark residents via East Barnard and Allen Road.
Discussion also noted on-site oversight and extensive follow-up by board members to get the prior project to completion; the board highlighted guardrail replacement plans tied to a pending grant to improve the detour route’s safety during mud season. Speakers emphasized the need for ongoing communication about timing and traffic impacts to affected residents.
