Village reviews $2.4M sidewalk TAP grant and $3.9M project estimate; title searches and engineering costs raise questions

Board members reviewed a multi-year sidewalk and water-main project funded by federal and DOT grants and discussed rising costs and contract terms. Chair Ben Gorman said the village received a $2,400,000 grant for sidewalks and a $365,000 Department of Transportation award to repave Route 203; an engineering consultant and board members reported updated estimates that put total project costs near $3.9 million.

"About 3 years ago, the village received a $2,400,000 grant," Chair Ben Gorman explained when briefing the board, and he added the village also received "a $365,000 grant from Department of Transportation to repave Route 203." An engineering consultant told board members the firm was costing the project at roughly $3,900,000 with engineering and other soft costs estimated near $935,000; board members said that soft-cost percentage appeared high and discussed negotiating a not-to-exceed structure.

Members discussed DOT requirements for documenting rights-of-way and property agreements for every parcel touched by the project. The consultant and trustees raised the need for title searches and clarified that some parcels will require formal property agreements; trustees questioned whether full title searches are necessary for every parcel or whether alternative documentation approaches could be used. The board agreed no construction contract would be signed until the village is satisfied with scope and cost and noted the village will request an updated opinion of cost before deciding whether to bond the local 20% match.

Gorman described the technical scope: installing an 8-inch water main on Chatham Street tying into the Fairview Avenue and Walden Street mains to form an 8-inch loop, and installing ADA-compliant sidewalks on Chatham, Cornomeek, Malden, John Street and along Route 20 with crosswalks by the post office and school. He said the loop is designed to provide roughly 800–1,000 gallons per minute at hydrants to improve fire protection. Board members said the project is unlikely to move to construction in 2025; they expect readiness and continued availability of grant funds in 2026 but warned inflation and expanded DOT documentation will keep costs higher than prior estimates.

The board directed further review of contract language and a refreshed opinion of cost before committing to construction or additional pre-construction work.