TURNER — Selectmen at Monday night’s meeting were told the town must replace the culvert under Tripp Bridge, which will cost an estimated $75,000.
Public Works Director Jack Moultrie said the culvert is considered undersized by regulators. For several years, the state has told town officials the bridge is deteriorating and needs replacement.
Further, when the Androscoggin River was classified as a significant salmon habitat a few years ago, the culvert, through which Martin Stream flows, was deemed too small for adequate fish passage, putting additional pressure on the town to replace the culvert and bridge, Town Manager Kurt Schaub said.
Schaub said the bridge is slightly short to be under the state’s jurisdiction, so the town will be responsible for the work, which he estimates will cost about $75,000. The work will likely be performed in the summer of 2015 or 2016.
The board also approved a request to allow the use of overweight construction vehicles when Ricker Hill Bridge is replaced. Along with the approval, the board required the contractor to pay for any damage to the roadway caused by the overweight vehicles.
In other action, the board discussed final renovations to the town’s Fire-Rescue Building. This last segment of work, which is part of a larger project, will cost $4,925 and is expected to be completed in the next eight weeks, according to Schaub.
At the request of Animal Control Officer Wendell Strout, the board agreed to send a letter to Androscoggin County Superior Court seeking to prohibit a Turner resident from owning dogs.
Following an incident last year when Michael Bell’s dogs were involved in an attack on a neighbor’s dogs, Bell was required by the court to kennel his dogs, and to have them on a leash and muzzled when outdoors.
Bell has since been subpoenaed on a charge of contempt for allegedly violating those requirements, according to Schaub. His court date is Dec. 31. The selectmen’s letter would be considered at that time. The town is also seeking to have the case expedited.
The Christmas tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Town Office. Santa is expected to make an appearance. More details to come.
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