Selectboard okays $125,000 from fund balance for immediate Wall Street wall stabilization

The Selectboard unanimously authorized $125,000 from the town’s fund balance on July 20 to finance an immediate stabilization of a failing retaining wall on Wall Street that threatens adjacent buildings, sidewalks and sanitary infrastructure.

Town Manager Scott Pickup presented engineering recommendations calling for a two‑phase approach. Phase 1, an immediate stabilization to halt movement and manage stormwater, would install about 15 feet of new concrete wall with aluminized bin wall elements and remove an existing stairway at the critical failure point. Pickup said the estimated cost for Phase 1 is approximately $125,000. Phase 2—additional cantilevered wall construction, utility relocation including sanitary lines, and slope repair—would be programmed into a future capital budget.

Heather Frahm moved to authorize the manager to use $125,000 from fund balance for Phase 1; Michael Schmitt seconded and the motion passed 5‑0. Board members discussed the limited availability of outside state funding and the need to proceed to avoid worsening structural and utility damage.

The work is intended to protect infrastructure and adjacent property while staff pursue longer‑term capital planning and potential funding sources for Phase 2.