Town manager and public works seek $15 million referendum to fund Paving for Progress 2.0

Kevin Vincennes, deputy director of public works, told the council the town is proposing a $15 million referendum — Paving for Progress 2.0 — to fund three years of road and related infrastructure work.

Vincennes described candidate projects the town would target if voters approve the bond: Buckland Road signal improvements, sidewalks on Valley View/ Deming/ Ellington Road, reconstruction of Griffin Road and Clark Street, and additional drainage and catch-basin repairs. He reviewed outcomes from the previous Paving for Progress (1.0): a $35 million bond passed in 2022 that repaved roughly 11 miles of roadway, installed about 4.5 miles of new sidewalks, repaired 126 catch basins and replaced 2,000 linear feet of failing drainage pipe.

Vincennes explained the financing approach: the town fronts the work and draws bond proceeds as needed rather than taking the full $15 million at once. He said the town will prepare an explanatory ballot question and asked council to approve a referendum date at a future meeting.

Councilors asked for clarifications about specific items: whether Valley View sidewalks would be north or south side and how preliminary engineering and resident consultation would be handled. Vincennes said no final engineering has been completed for Valley View; the administration has retained consultants for surveys and will hold on-site meetings with residents once preliminary design is available.

The presentation closed with council requests for staff to provide engineering detail and community engagement materials before the council is asked to set a referendum date.