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SPENCER – During a brief selectmen’s meeting on December 2, the board approved a state grant related to the route 9 water main, approved an agreement for the building part of the highway department salt shed and handled other business.
Utilities and Facilities Superintendent Peter Boria said the water main area starts at Water Street and goes west “just over the 7-mile bridge just before you get to the (route) 49 intersection.”
The size of the main varies, with some portions upgrading from eight inches to 10 and others from 10 inches to 12, he said.
Boria credited local legislators with helping to obtain the MASS-ONE Stop for Growth grant totaling $1.1 million. The water main replacement on route 9 will be done in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation paving project.
Boria noted that without the grant, the Water Commission would have had to raise money through its rates, placing an additional burden on residents.
Selectmen also approved a $345,500 agreement with Iron Horse Structures for the highway department’s salt shed. Another agreement for roof re-enforcing and repairs at the Sugden Public Library was awarded to Campora Construction Company Inc. at a cost of $769,850.
Boria said the salt shed work came in approximately $30,000 below the estimate, while the library repairs are $20,000 higher than estimated.
Also, the U & F superintendent reported the town would have three fewer snow contractors this year.
He said that new highway foreman Jeff Stevens may have new ideas and asked the board and residents to be patient as they take a “trial and error approach,” and may do some things differently.
If new approaches do not work, the department will revert to the originals, he said, adding, “I’m excited to see what might work.”
Another approved agreement was with the Massachusetts Cultural Council, accepting its $12,300 annual grant. Town Administrator Jeff Bridges also announced a $55,000 public safety grant, with $26,000 going to fire and $29,000 to police.
Bridges recommended the town stick with its two-year rate guarantee proposal for MIIA property, liability and worker’s compensation. He said “there is no reason not to do it again,” referring to the locked in rate followed by a % increase.
In his report, the administrator said the board would take a vote on non-profit organizations receiving American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and added there is money left over in paving and non-profit areas that could be re-distributed for other needs.
Selectman Ralph Hicks said, “That’s too bad,” when it was confirmed by Bridges that it is too late (and cold) for paving.
“We could have done a street or part of a street,” Hicks said.
Selectman Tony Pepe said the list of department needs identified in conjunction with a possible Proposition 2 ½ override should be reviewed to see where ARPA funds could help.
Citizen Matt Defosse said he is pleased to see progress happening with library repairs and suggested the excess ARPA money be used for the library or senior center.
The next Board of Selectmen special override workshop will be held on December 12.
