It is the beginning of a new year and much is underway. We are currently busy compiling departmental budgets to put together the Town's Budget for fiscal year 2019-20. As always, we will work hard to provide the services that you want and do that in a fiscally responsible manner. The wild card, as it has been for the last several years, is at what level will State revenue be provided.
We continue to work on several other projects, one being the Hickory Hill Road reconstruction for which we have obtained a Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP) which is federal funding funneled through the state DOT. In order to receive this funding we must satisfy all of the DOT's concerns. This has caused delays that are unfortunately unavoidable. We had hoped to get this out to bid no later than February, however the approval process will take longer than anticipated and may possibly foil the construction process for this year. Once completed, this will reconstruct a failing road and storm water system with no construction cost to the Town.
We also have obtained a State Grant for the construction of a sidewalk to connect the north end of the business district to the south end with a signalized crossing at the intersection of Main Street and Watertown Rd. We are awaiting final approval from DOT on the plans for the crossing as well as obtaining easements where required. When completed this will provide a link between our segmented business district and most importantly safe pedestrian access to both. We anticipate construction by the fall of this year.
We have obtained a $60,000 Brownfields grant to be utilized to identify contamination at the former Plume & Atwood site. While this is by no means enough funding to work the whole site, it is a step in the right direction to bring this underutilized site back to it's best and highest use thereby benefiting economic development as well as the Town's tax base, the Grand List. We will continue to seek funding to this end as well as funding to create better access.
Nystroms Park is nearing completion and will be turned over to the Recreation Commission sometime this year. When this occurs we will have an official Grand Opening and celebrate the diligent work completed by an extremely dedicated Committee that has steadfastly worked on this project for years.
These are but a few of the things that go on in your Local Government that will be most notable, however much more occurs daily to satisfy the needs of our residents.
I'll end by saying I wish all a Happy, Prosperous and Healthy New Year!