By Avice Meehan

The Board of Selectmen held an efficient meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6, with much of the discussion focused on resolutions to be brought before a special town meeting that First Selectman Matt Riiska hoped to call on Nov. 20 (See related article, page XX.)

Riiska walked his colleagues, Sandy Evans and Henry Tirrell, through a proposed refinancing for the remainder of the costs associated with rebuilding the bridge at River Place. That project, which has proceeded in fits and starts, is now slated for completion by April 30, 2025, and work will continue throughout the winter.

The original project cost was $3,028,000. That has risen roughly $500,000 since construction halted in November 2022 after the state Department of Transportation identified design flaws. DOT is paying 80 percent of the project cost plus the overage of about $500,000.

Riiska explained that NBT Bank, formerly Salisbury Bank, held the original line of credit for $3.028 million at an interest rate of 2¼ percent. He proposed closing out the first loan and refinancing the balance of the funds needed for the project at an interest rate in the 4 percent range. The town draws down the line of credit to pay project bills and his then reimbursed by DOT for its share of the costs.

The final numbers, as published in the legal notice for the meeting, were $1.74 million for the new line of credit at an interest rate not to exceed 4¼ percent. Riiska said he spoke to the town’s financial advisor and to bond counsel before proceeding, noting that NBT is providing “a pretty decent rate.” He also said he would be asking the Board of Finance to consider paying off the loan for the town’s share (estimated at $285,000) with funds generated when the town ended its defined benefit pension plan. The resolution was approved unanimously.

Riiska then discussed a second resolution to be presented at the special town meeting, one that would make property owners responsible for cleaning sidewalks within 24 hours of a storm. He said it was recommended by town’s insurer.

 In other matters, the board approved minutes of the Oct. 2 meeting, the opening of Town Hall for the road race on Dec. 14 and schedule of meetings for 2025. The board will continue meeting on the first Wednesday of the month, except for January, when the meeting will occur on Jan 8. The board also discussed the need for a new Christmas tree on the Village Green and Riiska shared his ongoing frustration with the pace of the Smith Road bridge replacement projects. He reported that the solar field at the town landfill was operating and that a ribbon cutting would be scheduled.