November 16, 2012

This special meeting of the Halifax Selectboard was called to order at 9:02 a.m. on the Reed Hill Road Bridge #33, near the intersection with Collins and Brook Road.  Selectboard members in attendance were Lewis Sumner, Earl Holtz, and Edee Edwards.  Members of the public in attendance included Peter Boeming and Thad Betts from SVE Associates (bridge engineers); Roger Farnsworth from Renauld Brothers (bridge construction); Bradley Rafus and Michael Fournier from the Halifax Highway Department; Patricia Dow, Town Clerk and Town Treasurer; and Joe Tamburrino, former Irene Purchasing Agent.  Unable to attend was Christina Moore, Irene Project Manager.

Peter Boemig proceeded a walk through / inspection of the features of the replaced bridge.  The bridge is designed to withstand a Q25 flood.  Wing walls have been expanded on the North side to avoid a backside bridge washout.    Edwards confirmed that another major flood would flow around the end of the bridge closest to Collins/Branch/Brook Road.  Boemig said damage from river debris would be possible, but that the upstream bridge at the start of Collins would likely take the brunt of that.

Boemig noted that Renaud Brothers had covered the largest rip rap with smaller stone, which provided a nice finish.  Boemig recommended payment except for 1% of the bill for the time in the spring when the site would once again be green.

The Selectboard discussed finalizing paperwork with the surrounding landowners, one of whom had given verbal confirmation to both the chair and the town attorney for the protective stonework on his property, but the paperwork has not been received.  The town attorney may need to be consulted again.

Holtz asked where a new drain was discharging.  The Selectboard looked underneath the bridge on the Post Office side to see both that discharge and the weep drains, which will relieve hydrostatic pressure behind the abutments.

After the bridge review, a picture with most of those present was taken cutting a ribbon on the bridge, for the town report.

No motions were made.  The meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Edee Edwards, Selectboard Vice Chair