First Selectman Robert Koskelowski advised the Board of Selectmen not to spend more than $650,000 to pave and repair Derby Avenue.
The money for the project is coming from the state, but state officials estimated the cost of the project to be $1.2 million, Koskelowski said at Tuesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting.
Koskelowski thinks the estimate is too high.
Derby Avenue requires work, including the milling of the northbound lane. However, the amount of work and the attached cost estimate from the state seem out of line to Koskelowski.
“They (the state) didn’t even do a test bore,” he said. The outgoing First Selectman felt confident that the road is sturdy and not in need of major work.
“Maybe this is why the state isn’t in the best shape, if they are spending this much money on one road,” said Koskelowski.
Koskelowski said he is recommending against the repairs to Derby Avenue if the state cannot do it for the $650,000 provided in a grant. If they must go above that price, he said they should find a different road to work on or revise the project. Anything over the $650,000 would be coming from Seymour’s coffers.
“The town will not be responsible beyond the $650,000,” said Koskelowski.
Meanwhile, sidewalks along New Street won’t be getting any refurbishment until at least the spring. The board took Koskelowski’s recommendation to table to the subject until later in the year.
His argument was that while the sidewalks do need work, it is getting too late in the year to do them in a manner that would be cost effective.
The town and the homeowners will be splitting the cost of the sidewalk repairs, with the town paying at least one-third of the cost. Koskelowski said with winter approaching, the costs to get them done quickly are likely higher than they will be in the spring.
Complicating the matter and helping push the decision to table the issue was a lack of information in the price quotes.
The highest bidder provided significant information about what would be included in the quote, while lower bidders did not. By delaying until spring, some of the bidders might be able to clarify what they are offering and be able to give the town a better savings on the job, officials said.
Selectman John Conroy Jr., said there is value in repairing the sidewalks as it translates into a safety factor for the residents.
“We find money for other things, this is an improvement to the town,” said Conroy.
Koskelowski agreed that the sidewalks do need repair and the safety and town improvement aspects are important, but it wouldn’t be reasonable to move forward with any action until the spring.
The board agreed and tabled the motion.
No one from the public spoke for or against either the decision to table the sidewalk repairs or the recommendations for Derby Avenue.
