BOS gets ready for its 2013 projects

SALISBURY — The Board of Selectmen began the new year on a solemn note, with a moment of silence for the victims of the Newtown school shooting, at the start of the regular meeting Thursday, Jan. 3.First Selectman Curtis Rand said that the summer youth program is high on his personal list for 2013, as is economic development.And he said he is looking forward to a good new year.Rand then gave a series of updates.Of the Amesville bridge, he said that engineers had that day completed test boring on either side of the span across the Housatonic River between Falls Village and the Amesville section of Salisbury. “The Falls Village side is on bedrock; the Salisbury side is not.”He said the engineers found the Salisbury side of the bridge is on built-up stone and is subject to scouring from the river current.Rand said he expected to be fully engaged in discussions with state and federal officials within the next two months.He announced that the Transfer Station Building Committee, comprised of Salisbury and Sharon residents, has recommended Anchor Engineering to design the new transfer station. And he said that work on Academy Street has been suspended for the winter, and noted that the street lights on the Main Street (Route 44) pedestrian crosswalk have been installed. “They’re timed to go off at 9 or 10 at night,” he said. Of the intersection of routes 41 and 44 in Lakeville, Rand said that the state Department of Transportation (DOT), after eight years of discussion, appears to be ready to move. He said he asked a DOT official, “Do you think this will happen?” and the reply was, “Yes, it will.”Rand said he anticipates calling a public meeting on a redesigned intersection in March or April.He said the project was originally expected to cost $700,000 and is now expected to cost more than $1 million.“We’ll just have to wait and see what they’re proposing.”Looking ahead to the 2013-14 budget vote, Rand said, “I am well aware of the continued economic issues. We know people are hurting.“Our job is to create a budget that is affordable and meets our needs. No big surprises.”Rand said the 2008 bond anticipation note for $4.8 million — for the new firehouse and new transfer station site — has been paid down to $2.76 million, with a significant amount paid through donations.He said the town’s bond rating is “two steps below AAA, and I don’t think towns can get AAA.”Back to the budget, he said, “We won’t go hog wild. We’ll be conservative.”Selectman Mark Lauretano announced another Code of Ethics workshop on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 9 a.m at Town Hall.Rusty Chandler asked about the status of the old firehouse, which is for sale. Rand replied that there has been “a little bit of interest” recently from two individuals.“As soon as we get anything in writing it will be made public. I hope the buyer will help invigorate downtown Lakeville. I’m pretty optimistic.“Incidentally, if that sells, our debt goes down even more,” he added.