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Culvert repair quote exposes shortfall in Stamford highway budget
Summary
Board members and residents discussed a $5,500 culvert replacement quote while the highway budget contains only $4,000 for the item; members flagged the need for grants and longer-term paving/funding strategies.
Residents and public works staff told the board that a quoted culvert replacement would cost $5,500 while the town’s highway budget has only $4,000 allocated for the work. The public works foreman said he planned to apply for a grant due in December but that replacement would likely not be completed this summer without additional appropriations.
"I did get a price on replacement of the culvert, and the culvert itself is $5,500. We only have 4,000 in our budget," the public works foreman reported. Board members and residents discussed prioritizing roads, setting aside funds for paving, and whether to hire additional seasonal help or a part-time employee to address maintenance backlogs.
The discussion ranged to state culvert removals and historic reductions that can shift water and cause localized flooding. One member suggested a special budget meeting to explore revenue and reallocation; another argued for preventative spending, noting that buying necessary equipment has saved money over time. The board agreed further evaluation and grant pursuit are required before committing town funds.
