TOWNSHEND — Selectboard members agreed May 5 to apply for a grant to kick off the next phase of work to improve drainage on Grafton Road near Acton Hill.
According to Highway Foreman Kurt Bostrom, funds for an engineering study were raised in this year's budget. A motion was needed to request $194,568 in new state grant money for structural work, with Townshend responsible for an in-kind match of 10 percent, or $19,457.
The work will be completed next fiscal year, perhaps by October “or whenever the state requires,” officials said.
Bostrom also said the money would cover $250 for software for updating the town's inventory of road surfaces.
According to draft meeting minutes, the board voted March 17 to award the Grafton Road culvert #16 engineering bid to Hammond Engineering, and the West Hill bridge #42 engineering bid to Beck Engineering, based upon the recommendations of Bostrom and former highway commissioners.
They also agreed at that meeting to accept a state grant modification for engineering costs.
The next steps: have Hammond deliver the plans, apply for permits, bid the work out, and make recommendations to the board.