TURNER — Selectmen this week considered options, including rerouting, for repairing Fish Street with federal grant money.
The street is in jeopardy of washing into the Androscoggin River and is barely passable.
A total of $115,000, much of it from a federal grant, has been approved for the project, but officials expressed concern that more money would be needed.
The town has already spent $28,593, with $57,694 in federal money remaining and a town match of funds for in-kind work of $28,762.
Officials expressed interest in looking into additional federal funds for the project, particularly if the road is moved.
The project must be permitted by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Army Corps of Engineers. According to Town Manger Kurt Schaub and Public Works Director Jack Moultrie, permits for the work will be costly and time-consuming to obtain.
Schaub presented the possibility of rerouting the road behind a house in the affected area, which would require the cooperation of the affected property owners and federal regulators.
The slope to the Androscoggin River is considerable and would have to to reinforced with riprap all the way to the riverbed, officials said.
Schaub has been in contact with Joanne Mooney at Maine Emergency Management Agency concerning the status of the grant, expenditures to date, matching funds and the scope of the work involved.
He and Moultrie suggested getting the permits in this year’s budget and doing the work after July 1.
In other business Tuesday night, Schaub reported on conversations with the town of Hartford about that town’s fire coverage, which Turner currently supplies. The board approved sending a bill to Hartford for $8,750 for fire coverage and $6,500 for rescue, and approved a two-year contract with the town for continuing coverage at the same cost.
Schaub presented a spreadsheet on the cost of having John E. O’Donnell & Associates take over the assessment duties for the town. Schaub said he had worked with the company for years and found them to be upright and dependable. No action was taken.
The board awarded a mowing bid to Gilbert Lawn Care for the low bid of $9,000, and $600 for landfill work. Selectman Ralph Caldwell was concerned about whether Gilbert had adequate equipment to do the job. The vote was 4-1. Caldwell recommended that bidders note their equipment on bid forms.
The board approved a liquor license for Mockin Birds restaurant on Route 4.
Schaub informed the board that new locks had been installed at the Town Office and panic buttons were in place.
The board agreed to have Schaub meet with the Historical Society to discuss lettering on the new centennial bell, which they hope to have in place in the park by July 1.
Moultrie reported the roads will be swept during the week of April 28.
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