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SPENCER – Potential crosswalks at Camp Marshall and bids for grandstand repairs at O’Gara Park were topics addressed by selectmen at a recent meeting.
Lorraine Kiritsis, representing the board of directors for Camp Marshall, spoke about the need to improve safety as the number of participants increases. Kiritsis said she is especially concerned about kids crossing the street to get to the cabins.
“People don’t slow down,” she said. “We want to be cognizant of (campers’) safety.” She said the issue existed leading to the cabins as well as where participants go for equine programs.
Camp Marshall runs programs in June and July and participants range in age from six to 16. The equine programs are year-round for participants ages eight and older.
Its location is on McCormick Road, which selectman Gary Woodbury noted was a town road. “She’s correct,” he said, about the director’s comments. “It’s a problem. A lot of action goes on there…(with) a slew of kids.”
Woodbury added, “This is more public safety than anything else.”
Selectman Ralph Hicks said that adding crosswalks to the road is the type of project that “doesn’t break the bank,” and is often grant-funded. He suggested contacting legislators to see if they could be of assistance in obtaining funds.
Vice chair Jonathan Viner said he did not agree with the applicant being responsible for a traffic study, saying it is the town’s responsibility. “The applicant identified the need. Don’t put a burden on the user.”
The other selectmen agreed.
Pete Boria, (former) superintendent of utilities and facilities, said he thought the issue is “a good idea to look at” and added he would contact Beta for a proposal to evaluate.
Boria also talked about repairs to the O’Gara Park grandstand, noting the project was sent out to bid, attracting five proposals.
He recommended going with the second-lowest bidder, Paqcon, LLC, whose bid was $192,000, falling under the estimate of $200,000.
The lowest bidder with $154,000 was found to have several paperwork and other violations, Boria said.
He added that the Parks and Recreation Committee agreed with the Paqcon recommendation.
Concluding that issue, Boria thanked everyone, saying he would miss them. Boria added he was proud of the work that got done during his tenure with the help of staff, Town Administrator Jeff Bridges and others.
Boria moves on to an assistant DPW superintendent’s job in Auburn.
