Selectboard approves $181,290 paving allocation for Browns Trace; authorizes culvert funds and night work

The Selectboard voted July 16 to allocate $181,290 — using the town’s Class 2 paving grant match — to pave Browns Trace Road from the Jericho fire station to Mansfield Drive. Jacob Johnson (highway staff) said that allocation, combined with other planned paving this year, would complete about 90 percent of Browns Trace and leave approximately $113,000 (or more) in the paving line for smaller projects.

Jacob also asked for $18,000 of the $25,000 culvert budget to be used this season to replace several culverts, and the board approved that expenditure 5-0. Because some culvert locations are narrow and parking near the work is an issue, Jacob requested authorization to rent lights and perform the work at night (10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) to reduce traffic impacts; the board agreed and Jacob reported the light rental would cost about $701 per week and that overtime would be modest. Jacob said some of the road‑crew work (ditch and culvert repair) would count toward the grant match, potentially increasing available paving funds.

Peter Booth moved to authorize the $181,290 expenditure; the motion passed 5-0. Jacob suggested that if money remains in spring they could pave the town office parking lot as a smaller additional project. The board also discussed traffic‑calming and striping options for paved Class 2 roads and said they would consider bicycle‑pedestrian committee recommendations before finalizing calming features.