City to get 2 projects done on Pine Street

Water main repairs, paving on tap By Owen Boss GARDNER — The Finance Committee passed a motion at a meeting Thursday that would supply adequate funding for a Department of Public Works project on Pine Street that will replace an underground water main and use grant money to replace the sidewalks, curbs and repave the street. Dane Arnold, the director of the department, requested that the committee produce $75,000 in additional funding for the project, which he expects to cost anywhere from $150,000 to $175,000 when finished. The committee unanimously approved the appropriation of $75,000, which they acquired from the water surplus account. Mr. Arnold said that although there are other public works projects that need to be addressed, the water main under Pine Street was in immediate need of repairs. “The sewers are not going to be a part of this project, just the water main,” said Mr. Arnold. “We still have to do a lot more work, but this is what we can afford right now.” Robert L. Hubbard, the director of Community Development and Planning said the two phase project is simply a well-coordinated endeavor. “The local money allocated for water and sewer is a match to a grant from the (Department of Housing and Community Development),” said Mr. Hubbard. “We have money from the DHCD to do the sidewalks, curbs, and repaving and we are also going to replace the pipes underground. So by coordinating it like this we will get the street completely redone and get entirely new water and sewer utilities and it is just the right way to do things.” Mr. Hubbard said that contracting bids for the project will be going out June 18, and if everything goes as planned, he expects it to be an approximately two-monthlong construction project. oboss@thegardnernews.com Appeared on Page 1 on 6/13/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 140)