Money approved to pave Shipbuilder's
The residents of Shipbuilder's Village in Milton received some good news Jan. 7, when town council moved forward with a paving project for dilapidated streets in the community.
Town officials entered into a contract with Jerry's Paving to pave Main Sale Lane, Ocean Court and a section of South Spinnaker Lane. The project will cost about $30,000 more than estimated at $72,650, due to unanticipated substructure work and repair of curbs and manholes.
“I'm not one to say I would approve almost $30,000 … that wasn't budgeted for, but since this is Shipbuilder's Village and they've been flooded and haven't had streets in 15 years, I wouldn't have a problem with this,” said Councilman John Booros.
The council's unanimous vote to move forward with project received applause from those in attendance, which included former councilman and Shipbuilder's resident Noble Prettyman, an advocate of improvements to the community.
About $48,000 of the project will be funded through current and leftover money from municipal street aid provided to the town by state legislators. Milton has about $23,000 left from 2011, $12,700 from 2012 and was awarded $12,673 for 2013, Town Manager Win Abbott said.
The responsibility of paving streets does not typically fall on the shoulders of the town, but Town Solicitor Seth Thompson said the construction of the development – about 2002 – predates the practice of using deeds to dedicate roads to the town. He said there may have been a verbal agreement between the developer and the town, but he was not able to locate it in previous town council minutes.
Last year, the town officially took over the streets when Thompson prepared a deed on the town's behalf, taking ownership from Shipbuilder's LLC.
Work has not yet begun on the paving project. Abbott said a progress schedule has not yet been submitted by Jerry's Paving, but the project must be completed 28 days once it is started.
