FARMINGTON — Selectmen agreed Tuesday to enter into a municipal-state agreement for guardrail replacement at Webster Bridge.

The Maine Department of Transportation plans to repair and add guardrail at the bridge over Wilson Stream. The state will provide 25 feet of approaching guardrail at each corner, Town Manager Richard Davis said.

The bridge needs additional guardrail, beyond the 25 feet, to meet standards. It is up to the municipality to provide the rest, he said.

An estimated cost of $10,592 for the town would be taken from the Public Works Department budget. MDOT will do the work and bill the town for its share. The work is expected to take place by late summer or fall.

Selectmen authorized Davis to make the agreement with MDOT.

In other business:

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* Selectmen agreed it was time to move forward and prepare the tax commitment based on the RSU 9 budget approved July 25. 

Voters did not validate the budget during the district-wide vote Aug. 3 and will likely not vote until September, at the earliest, Davis said.

Last year’s tax commitment date was Aug. 30 with taxes due by Nov. 1.

The town has to start receiving tax payments, Davis said. Other towns in the school district are moving forward based on the July 25 budget.

A representative from John E. O’Donnell & Associates, with whom the town has contracted for assessing services, is ready to present tax options to the board, Davis said. The board agreed to discuss it Aug. 22.

* A $500,000 Community Development Block Grant for Origin BJJ, a manufacturer of jiu jitsu and combat sports apparel, has been approved, Davis said.

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Peter Roberts, owner, asked the town in May to apply and administer the grant under the Economic Development Program.

Roberts is preparing the former Skane LTD building at 125 High St. for a move of the business from Industry to downtown Farmington.

* Four new parking spaces have been added to Broadway, Davis said. Instead of replacing the Broadway pine tree, taken down in June, the sidewalk was straightened, leaving room for the new parking spaces.  

abryant@sunmediagroup.net

Webster Bridge carries Webster Road over Temple Stream in Farmington.

Guardrails on the Webster Road bridge in Farmington now stop at the end of the bridge.  MaineDOT will repair and add guardrails soon.

Guardrails on the Webster Road bridge in Farmington now stop at the end of the bridge.  MaineDOT will repair and add guardrails soon.

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