Selectmen Get Drainage Project Update

The $4.9 million, three-year Pleasant Street drainage project is on schedule and within budget.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Amy McHugh told selectmen last week that contractors would like to complete the $2.9 million first phase of the project around Thanksgiving.

Whether that is doable remains to be seen and is dependent on weather and digging — the extent of ledge to be removed, the superintendent said.

If weather fails to cooperate and the first phase is not completed by winter then the phase would resume in spring, she said.

Phase I is now at 5Corners, and work remains along Spring and Essex Streets.

Phase I boosts drainage capacity out of Pleasant Street. Phase II, $.8 million, improves drainage capacity near Pleasant Street. Phase III, $1.2 million, relieves drainage restrictions at Evans, Roosevelt and Curtis.

Selectmen and Town Administrator Jeff Chelgren said the town, contractors, businesses and residents were working together.

The town administrator said McHugh has been at the work site each day, communicating with contractors, businesses and residents.

The project will relieve flooding and pooling and upgrade old infrastructure.