Columbia approves $8,500 to fund engineering assessment of Village Hill Road bridge

The Town of Columbia approved an $8,500 appropriation Tuesday to pay for an engineering assessment of Village Hill Road Bridge #20-6208-019.

Deputy First Selectman Judy Ortiz moved the measure and Mary Roickle seconded. Ortiz said the town has found a crack in the side of the bridge and that "there is a crack in the side of the bridge and [it] will need to be assessed." The Moderator, Mark Desrosiers, read the legal notice and later reread the motion before calling a show-of-hands vote that the clerk recorded as Yes: 15, No: 0; the motion passed.

During public comment and Q&A, resident Noreen Farrington asked whether the bridge had been repaired previously. M. Walter responded that the bridge was repaired in 2001, 2004 and 2017 and said the town "have had problems with the contractor on the original construction and repair of the bridge." Judy Naumec asked whether Columbia shares the bridge with Lebanon; M. Walter said the towns share the bridge and that Lebanon will pay 60% of the engineering cost while Columbia pays 40%.

Officials said the cost of any required repairs is not currently budgeted and that, depending on the engineering assessment, the town may need to seek grant funding to cover repair work. Residents asked about contractor selection; M. Walter said the town will "evaluate and scrutinize the contractors that will bid on the project" and that prior contractor issues would be disclosed to the town.

The Moderator called the vote after the discussion; the motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m., and the minutes were submitted by Clerk Jennifer C. LaVoie.