Adams Culvert Project in Limbo Over Federal Funds
ADAMS, Mass. — The $3.9 million Jordan Street culvert project appears to be in limbo with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Interim Community Development Director Donna Cesan updated the Board of Selectmen on the project Wednesday, saying the town has asked for a budget amendment after the construction costs swelled from the original $2.2 million.
An extension on the project from 2023 ends this Tuesday.
"We first heard that the culvert was failing back in 2018 from DPW staff. After the town hired preliminary engineering to do an assessment, we realized that this project was going to be very complex and it was going to be expensive, we reached out to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, MEMA, to see if they could provide some assistance," explained Cesan.
The town was directed to FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and was approved by both FEMA and MEMA to begin engineering in 2021. Adams was awarded $1.7 million of the then $2.2 million in two obligations, with the town picking up $572,000.
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin was contracted for the engineering in 2022 and the final specs and detailed schedule were submitted in January of this year.
"As you can imagine, project costs have gone up. What was a $2.2 million project is now a $3.9 million project," said Cesan. "So we asked for a budget amendment, we asked for a schedule enhancement, and we asked for approval of our design, authorizing us to go to bid."
She said the town has been keeping MEMA and FEMA informed on the progress and that MEMA had been working to get a contract extension.
"So last week, we had a call with MEMA. They informed us that they've had no confirmation and very little interaction with FEMA about our contract extension, about approval of our design package," she said. "They explained that they cannot go through FEMA Boston, which I think they have a stronger relationship. Obviously, they have to go to FEMA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. They wanted us to know that they haven't just waited on this. They haven't been sitting on their thumbs. ...
"We've explained to them that our neighborhood has been very inconvenienced by the wait, and we've asked them to do whatever they can to move this forward."
Cesan said she's contacted U.S. Rep. Richard Neal's office and is looking at "potential contingencies" should the funding not go forward.
Selectman Joseph Nowak said he thinks "we'll be holding our hand on our ass for awhile" waiting for federal funding, pointing to North Adams loss of $144,000 for a culvert project earlier this year.
The culvert carries Miller Brook into Tophet Brook behind 17 Jordan St. The new culvert is designed to be 2 feet wider and a foot deeper, and will be moved away from problem areas, such a parking lot it currently runs underneath.
The board also voted to extend Sgt. Donna Malloy's appointment as acting police chief until such time the town administrator can bring forward a qualified candidate as interim chief.
Police Chief K. Scott Kelley has been on paid administrative leave since Sept. 8.
"There are four sergeants, and so when you look at the their rank there, they all get an opportunity," said interim Town Administrator Holli Jayko in response to questions. "You cannot look at seniority alone."
She anticipated having a candidate by the board's next meeting.
In other business:
• The board ratified the temporary appointment of Thailia Chee as the part-time executive assistant to the town administrator at Grade 9, Step 4, $28.62 an hour; the rehiring of Anthony Fiore as skilled laborer in the Department of Public Works at Step 3, $24.59 an hour; and the promotions of Kyomi Belanger from administrative assistant to planner in the Community Development Office at Grade 10, Step 2, at $54,256 per year and Adam Meczywor from mechanic to mechanic foreman in the DPW at Step 5, $38.82 an hour.
• Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee member Fred Lora informed the board that an Adams representative had tendered their resignation and district will be taking letters of interest to fill the position. Any registered Adams voters may apply by Oct. 10 by 3:30 p.m. for the term expiring next May.
Lora also, during open forum, said the fireworks at Valley Street Field had resulted in "hundreds" of tiny debris pieces across the recreational field.
"There definitely needs to be a process for future events," he said, adding that parents and volunteers and DPW had worked to clean up the field.
• The board approved an agreement for National Grid to perform more soil bore sampling regarding the permanent closure of the former gas plant at 33 Columbia St. The sampling would be at the drainage area at the edge of the Memorial Park. This will also require Conservation Commission approval. Nowak abstained from the vote but asked for the condition of National Grid providing the results.
• The board approved an amendment to the solar power purchase agreement with Solect Energy regarding the proposed panels at the Greylock Glen. Andreas Schmid of Solect said the company was able to take advantage of state and federal programs with better incentives and tax credits. Instead of 25 cent per kilowatt hour this reduces it to 15.68 cent/KwH. The town will save 40 percent more over the project's 25 years.
• The board, acting as the Licensing Board, approved seven one-day wine and beer licenses: two for Bounti-Fare to serve at the Adams Visitors Center on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11 and (raindate) 12, from noon to 5 both days and five for Bounti-Fare to serve from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Adams Theater on Sept.12 and Oct. 4, 10, 17 and 25; and one for Berkshire Catering to serve at the Adams Theater from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 18. Also approved was a public entertainment license for Pro Adams for the Visitors Center on Saturday, Oct. 11, from noon to 5 p.m.
• Selectman Jay Mezcywor has been elected as the town's representative to the Metropolitan Planning Committee.
• The town was found not to have violated Open Meeting Law for an executive session held Jan. 15 from a complaint field by Catherine Foster. The session regarded the release of a lien on property at 110 Columbia St. for the Community Development Block Grant facade program.
Tags: culvert, FEMA, MEMA,
