ERVING — A Special Town Meeting vote may be necessary to cover a funding gap in a project to restore sidewalks in Ervingside, if the project is to stay on schedule.
In the best case scenario, all sidewalks in Ervingside could be restored and brought up to accessibility codes within three years, Administrative Coordinator Bryan Smith said.
Because Route 63 is a state road, its sidewalks are being handled by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Sidewalks on town roads, however, have to be coordinated by the town.
The town’s work is divided into two chunks. The cost estimate for the first part — which will cover sidewalks around River Street, Warner Street and Strachan Street — is about $650,000. But the town only has about $520,000 set aside for it, of which about $320,000 is from the state and about $200,000 is from the town.
“It’s substantial, but it’s a substantial project too,” Selectboard Chairman Jacob Smith said.
How to cover the funding gap will be figured out by the Selectboard and Finance Committee in a meeting tentatively scheduled for Aug. 19. The Selectboard floated an idea of holding a Special Town Meeting to cover the shortfall, but preferred to wait and consult with the Finance Committee before making a decision or scheduling a Special Town Meeting.
Construction could begin this spring at the soonest, if funding is secured soon enough, Smith said.
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 261.