First Selectman Jeb Walker and the Public Works Department have spent months wrangling with the state over funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Now, it seems that the town will get its full share of federal money for roadwork. The Town Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to grant Walker the power to sign a final contract with the state, securing funds to repave many major roads.
Once Walker signs the agreement with the state, the town will begin work on Old Norwalk Road, Farm Road, West Road and Weed Street. The contract is the final step in what Walker called "just another case of bureaucracy gone berserk." He told the council, "This will be the fifth time we've done a resolution to have me sign the same piece of paper. This time, though, it's actually got a better story."
He and Public Works Assistant Director Tiger Mann explained to the Town Council that New Canaan's previously approved paving projects cost less than their allotted amounts. State Department of Transportation policy said that the unused money would go back to the state's DOT budget, but Walker wanted the funds to stay in New Canaan to pave other roads.
The state eventually approved additional work, and the Town Council previously voted to allow Walker to sign the contract for the state to return the money. But there was an oversight in the state's budgeting. The previous deal did not pay for Mann and Public Works Director Michael Pastore to oversee the projects. The state will now send $33,000 to cover those costs.
The new agreement will also cover work on a portion of Farm Road between Routes 123 and 106. Walker said the state originally told him the section was "outside the scope" of the project, and that the estimate was too high. "Then we reminded them that that was their estimate, not the bid price," Walker told the council. In total, state will give the town about $200,000 for the entire project.
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