G.W. Tatro contracted with the town on the Sugarbush Access Road culvert
project as well as Sugarbush's pipeline replacement project, also
currently underway.
The section of the road was closed to traffic on August 4 and reopened
to one-way traffic on August 24; originally, the project was scheduled
to be completed by August 18.
RUNNING BEHIND
At the previous select board meeting, Simpson said the project was
running behind schedule partially due to a shift in momentum when the
work began on the Sugarbush pipeline.
Simpson said that he thought "it would be inappropriate to try to extend
beyond the October 15 deadline" set by the state that requires that
ground disturbance be complete.
Select board member Bob Ackland asked if the town could be fined for
working beyond the deadline. Simpson said it was his understanding that
the state can provide leeway in some situations.
RAINFALL AND EROSION
Heavy rainfall and subsequent erosion are among Simpson's concerns for
the behind-schedule project. He said, "We've had heavy rainfall and
we're supposed to get more on Friday."
Simpson said paving has begun and there have been discussions following a
walk-through of the site about stone lining the ditch between the next
to the last culvert on the steepest part of the road.
Select board member Matt Groom said he would not be in favor of spending
additional money on the project given the amount already spent.
"We've spent a lot of money when we didn't have a lot to spend. We can
budget it next budget season. Ditches were never stone lined before
this. I imagine we can make it a year or two."
Tatro agreed contractually to return the roads, ditches, swales,
driveways, et cetera to the same if not better condition if they damage
the road in any way.
Select board member Bob Ackland said that Tatro has made "a pretty
strong argument that they've put [the ditch] back the way it was.
Select board chair Andy Cunningham said, "If there wasn't a decent ditch
there before, we would have had complaints about water spilling; there
was something there that worked and now it doesn't work. It isn't what
it was, and if that's what they're saying, then I would not accept
that."
Town officials also discussed damage to the pavement as a result of
loaders and excavators. Simpson said the road department has expressed
concern about plowing over uneven surfaces and the potential for
accidents and injuries as a result.
"Where the culvert project has made a problem to the road, it's our
responsibility. Where the pipeline project has made damage, its
Sugarbush's responsibility," he continued.
Select board member Kirsten Reilly discussed the planned repaving of the Sugarbush Access Road within the next two years.
"We plan to repave the whole road. That's why we're doing all this work.
If we can maintain it for two years, then repave it, we should."
Groom added, "We're not looking for a freebie from them, just clear the
bar. We want it done well enough where the plows aren't going to catch
or flake off; that's enough."
Simpson said, "In order to refurbish that road to a good paved surface,
there is no way we're going to be able to do that this year or next
year."
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