COLRAIN — The Selectboard has settled on a plan for construction on Stetson Brothers Road after a culvert that was installed last year solved a flooding problem, but caused erosion to the road.
“The original drainage work did not turn out well,” Selectboard Chair Michael Slowinski said.
Highway Superintendent Scott Sullivan explained that last summer, a culvert was installed in the upper section of Stetson Brothers Road because water would flood a resident’s driveway during rainstorms. The culvert and drainage ditch solved the water problem, Sullivan said.
“The problem with mud this year was excellent,” he said. “It didn’t mud up at all.”
However, Town Administrator Kevin Fox said that residents and Selectboard members felt the culvert “was too wide and deep and unnecessary. They asked for a plan to remediate it.”
As a result of erosion that has narrowed the roadway, residents are concerned Stetson Brothers Road would be impassable for an ambulance in the event of an emergency.
A construction project that would prevent further erosion has been on the Selectboard’s agendas on four occasions. Each time the board looks at the plans, members request more specificity. Plans shared during Tuesday’s meeting were finalized.
The plan involves laying down filter fabric, followed by stone, then pipe, then stone again in the area that is now a ditch, according to Selectboard member Ben Eastman.
“We are trying to find a happy medium where their driveway won’t wash out and people can drive up and down the road safely,” he said.
Sullivan said materials are expected to cost $40,644.90, with labor and use of equipment not included.
“I hope to finish the project before the winter,” Sullivan said, noting that some of the materials have a 120-day lead time for ordering.
The Selectboard also finalized a list of measurable goals for Sullivan to accomplish during a probationary period as highway superintendent. Fox said the list focuses on scheduling and managing the Highway Department.
“This is the first time in my tenure,” Fox said when asked if employees get reappointed on probationary periods often.
As the issue is a personnel matter that is being addressed, Fox declined to elaborate further.
“I was not expecting this,” Sullivan said during a meeting. “There is always room to learn and I will continue to learn whatever I need to to better myself and my career.”
Contact Bella Levavi
at 413-930-4579 or
blevavi@recorder.com.