Report covers from November 12, 2022 to November 25, 2022
Now that the Town Meeting has appropriated $100,000 to match the $160,000 DOT grant for decorative lighting along Main Street in downtown Essex, we are working to finalize the scope of services with engineering firm Stantec to develop final design plans for the work, assist with project bidding, and supervise construction. The Town also has a $50,000 Legislative earmark to go toward the project, which will likely be consumed with engineering consultant design/supervision fees and with police details during construction. The non-profit group “Light Up Essex” had indicated that the group may also be able to contribute funds to the project, but we have not heard back from the group as of the printing of this report. Presently, we are working to obtain electronic drawings of the existing conduit system that MassDOT installed under the new Main Street sidewalks a number of years ago. While MassDOT does not have any such drawings, DOT’s engineering consultant for that past project might. We have made contact with that consultant and are hopeful that CAD drawings will become available. Otherwise, a significant amount of new survey work will be necessary.
As discussed in previous reports, the Town is exploring a grant through National Grid to install electric vehicle charging stations at the municipal parking lot. National Grid would provide funding for Weston & Sampson to install the system and the Town would own it outright. Given that the Department of Public Works does not have the staff to operate, administer, and maintain such a system, Weston & Sampson proposes a three-year contract during which the company would handle all operation, payments made by users, maintenance, and costs. The company would derive its income from the fees charged to users of the system and would assume all of the risk if the stations did not prove to be popular. The Town would derive a small amount of income from the stations, but most of the income would go to the company. Presently, we are awaiting a more detailed proposal from Weston & Sampson, which will include discussion regarding the likelihood of available grant funding covering the entire installation process.
The office was closed on November 24 and 25, 2022, in observance of the subject holiday.
This report is available at www.essexma.org on the morning after any regularly scheduled Essex Board of Selectmen’s Meeting.
