Board of Finance recommends $189,000 transfer to support South Road culvert TRIP grant application
June 06, 2026 | Marlborough, Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut
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The Marlborough Board of Finance voted unanimously April 17 to recommend that Town Meeting approve a $189,000 transfer to serve as the town’s 25% match for a Connecticut Department of Transportation Transportation Rural Improvement Program (TRIP) grant application for the planned South Road culvert replacement.
Jack Fidler, chair of the Board of Finance, moved the recommendation at a special meeting; Joe Sheridan, an alternate member seated for Michael Nastri, seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The board’s recommendation asks Town Meeting to transfer $119,000 from the Capital Non-Recurring (CNR) Public Works account and $70,000 from the CNR General Government account, contingent on the town receiving the TRIP grant.
The measure matters because CTDOT would cover roughly 75% of the project cost if the grant is awarded, while the town must show a 25% match with the application. Mr. Hughes, Marlborough’s Director of Planning and Development, told the board the TRIP application must be submitted by April 27, 2026; awards are expected in the fall and work would begin in spring 2027. He said the requested $189,000 represents the town’s share that must be committed with the application.
Board members noted the culvert replacement was on the town’s list of future projects but was not scheduled for immediate construction. Several members raised concerns about the timing and transparency of recommending the transfer now, since the request came shortly before the first annual budget public hearing and was not discussed during the weekly Board of Finance budget workshops. The meeting had been rescheduled from April 15 due to technical difficulties; the Board of Selectmen has scheduled Town Meeting for Thursday, April 23, 2026, where the transfer recommendation will be considered.
If Town Meeting approves the transfer and the TRIP grant is awarded, the project would proceed with state funding covering about three-quarters of the cost and town funds covering the remaining match. No final construction contract or start date was adopted at the board’s special meeting.
The Board adjourned at 6:20 p.m. The minutes were submitted by Debby Rihm, Board Clerk.
Jack Fidler, chair of the Board of Finance, moved the recommendation at a special meeting; Joe Sheridan, an alternate member seated for Michael Nastri, seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The board’s recommendation asks Town Meeting to transfer $119,000 from the Capital Non-Recurring (CNR) Public Works account and $70,000 from the CNR General Government account, contingent on the town receiving the TRIP grant.
The measure matters because CTDOT would cover roughly 75% of the project cost if the grant is awarded, while the town must show a 25% match with the application. Mr. Hughes, Marlborough’s Director of Planning and Development, told the board the TRIP application must be submitted by April 27, 2026; awards are expected in the fall and work would begin in spring 2027. He said the requested $189,000 represents the town’s share that must be committed with the application.
Board members noted the culvert replacement was on the town’s list of future projects but was not scheduled for immediate construction. Several members raised concerns about the timing and transparency of recommending the transfer now, since the request came shortly before the first annual budget public hearing and was not discussed during the weekly Board of Finance budget workshops. The meeting had been rescheduled from April 15 due to technical difficulties; the Board of Selectmen has scheduled Town Meeting for Thursday, April 23, 2026, where the transfer recommendation will be considered.
If Town Meeting approves the transfer and the TRIP grant is awarded, the project would proceed with state funding covering about three-quarters of the cost and town funds covering the remaining match. No final construction contract or start date was adopted at the board’s special meeting.
The Board adjourned at 6:20 p.m. The minutes were submitted by Debby Rihm, Board Clerk.
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