SEYMOUR – The Seymour Board of Selectpersons held their bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 15). Here’s a few highlights.
Anonymous Donation Will Help Flood-Damaged Klarides Village Businesses
An anonymous donor has donated a $20,000 check to help small businesses in Seymour impacted by the devastating flooding of Aug. 18. According to Seymour Fire Chief Chris Edwards, who also serves as the town’s emergency management director, the donor – a local business – wished to remain anonymous. Edwards said the donor requested the money be specifically earmarked for the small businesses in Klarides Village impacted by the flooding.
Sixteen businesses were damaged in the plaza, of which 13 still remain closed. Edwards said none carried flood insurance.
Because the donor didn’t specify how the money should be dispersed, town attorney Richard Buturla said it falls within the board’s discretion to figure out the best way to divvy it up.
“Some of the businesses might have more damage than others and may need more of a helping hand than others,” Buturla said.
Edwards said he has worked closely with business owners filling out paperwork for FEMA relief in determining the extent of their damage. The board asked Edwards to come back to its Nov. 6 meeting with information on the monetary damage each business sustained. That way, board members said they can figure out how to best disperse the money, whether it’s by a percentage or a tiered system.
Edwards said the businesses hope to reopen in December.
Aging Firetrucks Need To Be Replaced
Putting on his fire chief hat, Edwards told the board the fire department needs to replace two, 26-year-old fire trucks that are nearing the end of their useful life span.
Edwards said frontline trucks should be replaced and taken off the road after 20 years in accordance with national standards. Edwards said replacing the two firetrucks – one at Citizens Engine Co. and the other at Great Hill Hose Co. – with two pumper trucks will cost about $387,000.
He said the maintenance costs to keep the trucks in service are becoming very costly. He said maintenance and repairs have cost $47,000 since the start of the fiscal year on July 1, and that only $18,000 remains in the budget for the rest of the year.
“These trucks are in bad shape and we’re just throwing good money at bad,” Edwards said.
Edwards submitted a proposal to the board and needs approval to order the trucks. Once the order is placed, Edwards said it will be another three years before the town actually receives the trucks.
Kurt Miller, the town’s chief administrative officer, said the trucks can be leased or purchased outright. A town meeting has been scheduled for Nov. 6 at 6:45 p.m. at Seymour Town Hall to discuss financing options.
Road Work Goes Out To Bid
A $9 million project slated to make improvements to West Church Street, Bungay and Botsford roads went out to bid Oct. 11. The bidding process will end Nov. 21. Drugonis said she expects the bid to select a contractor for the work to be awarded in late December or early January.
“If it’s a mild winter, hopefully some work can happen,” Drugonis said. “The project will take 18 months from start to finish and we’re going have bumpy roads for another 18 months.”
The project in part calls for a new roadway base, new pavement, consistent lane widths, new drainage, new curbing and new sidewalks that will connect West Church Street all the way to Seymour High School on Botsford Road. In addition, a rapid flashing beacon at the crosswalk across from Ralph Hull Funeral Home on West Church Street, near a narrow, almost blind corner, will be installed to alert oncoming motorists when people are crossing the street during funerals and wakes.
Drugonis warned that Bungay, Botsford and West Church will be torn up for at least a year or more once construction gets underway. The improvements will be done in several phases.
The three connected roads – which are a significant traffic hub for vehicles – have been plagued by inconsistent lane widths which lead to speeding and accidents, according to town officials. The roads also have poor drainage, which causes icy conditions in the winter, and there are many potholes.
