At their regular board meeting Monday Westport Island selectmen announced the state has approved a request to reallocate part of a $50,000 grant for the town landing project.
The grant required a $20,200 local match from the town for the SHIP (Small Harbor Improvement Projects) funds from the state Dept. of Transportation. The local allocation was made up of another grant, First Selectman George Richardson said.
Last week the board voted to put the municipal landing parking lot and boat ramp out for bid in one package with a bonding requirement for all bidding contractors.
The board has received cost estimates for construction of the boat launch ramp and floats, which can begin above the mean high water mark before the Nov. 8 window, Richardson said.
Pine Tree Engineering, Inc. of Bath has been doing the preliminary design work for the only public water access in town. The design includes road improvements along with the parking area construction, ramp and floats.
Project manager Stephen De Wick said recently if the town desires to enlist the work release program of Two Bridges Regional Jail to do the work, the specs should indicate that, since his firm has formatted the documents for a single general contractor.
“The decision has been made not to break up the work so they will not need to be revised,” De Wick said.
Base cost items in the estimates that go to bid include erosion control, site preparation, buried electric service, granular fill, pre-cast concrete planks, concrete abutment float piles, floats, riprap, base materials under pavement, pavement/curbing, pavement markings, vault privy, and landscaping.
Alternative items to add to the bid specifications, include base course pavement, wearing course pavement, pavement markings, landscaping, launch ram conduit, and area light.
Court summons
The board voted to file for a court summons for Joe Huggins to appear in Wiscasset District Court for non-compliance of an order to remove trucks and engines on the property in violation of a town ordinance.
Third Selectman Ross Norton said, “We made it clear to him, if he couldn’t do it, to contact us.”
Huggins had received an extension on the deadline to remove the specific items but reported no change in the status of them,
“I hate to do it, but I don’t see any other way out,” Richardson said.
Road closure request
In other business, the board tabled a request for partial closure of West Shore Rd. during a wedding event Sat., Sept. 12. The event will take place close to both sides of the road on Connie Otis’ property. Otis asked for a partial road closure between 1:30-10:30 p.m.
“Because West Shore Rd. runs through the middle of our property, we often find ourselves sharing our wonderful scenic views with many others, both residents and visitors,” Otis said in a written request to the board.
“While we delight in sharing under normal circumstances, the slowed traffic not only compromises our privacy, it also kicks up dust,” she said. “By closing the road for this one event, we could enjoy our family event in privacy without the noise, dust, and disturbance of onlookers driving by.”
Otis suggested sawhorses at each side of the area in question notify motorists the road would be closed during the desired hours.
In tabling the request, the selectmen decided they should contact the Maine Municipal Association before making any decision. In discussion, selectmen said they did not know for certain if they had the legal authority to comply with the request and whether there may be other more suitable options, such as using temporary or directing the party planners to hire police officers for each end of the road during the event.
Selectmen also expressed concern about normal residential traffic and postal service during the proposed time frame.
Boatyard Rd. issue
Sandra and Ben Crehore spoke to the board about the current condition of Boatyard Rd., part of which was washed away in heavy rains.
“Our boatyard road is in deplorable condition,” Sandra Crehore said.
In the past, she said the residents of the road came up with a solution, which entailed riprap to help prevent runoff.
“We’ve lived there for 26 years, and this is the worst it’s ever been,” Crehore said. “We’ve never come to you before in 26 years.”
The board decided to look at the road some time this week and discuss at its regular meeting next Monday.
