Goshen utility given permission to route water main through Mill Street Park; 15 parking spaces to be closed

Chair called the board to order May 4 and the first substantive decision granted the Goshen Water Utility permission to install a water main through Mill Street Park.

Dustin Sailor, Director of Public Works Utilities, told the board he requested use of park land because a water-main leak on Prospect Avenue sits behind a center median barrier that prevents lane closures there. "I'm here today to ask the board's consideration to place a water main, on Mill Street Parks property," Sailor said. He said the alley was not feasible because a sanitary sewer runs there and state regulation requires a 10-foot offset. He added the project will reconnect a park pavilion to the main.

Sailor estimated that crews could install the main within about a week and a half after permits and materials are in place and that restoration of turf and other surfaces will take longer. Board members asked about impacts to raised garden beds; staff said the beds were used last season and that the tree row will be preserved and grass areas restored after construction.

Chair moved the permit to allow Goshen Water Utility to install the water main east of the parking lot and to close 15 parking spaces on the east side of the Mill Street Park parking lot for the project's duration, anticipated to last one month. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: staff will finalize permits, coordinate staging to limit impacts to garden beds and park features, and schedule work once materials arrive.