Volume 29, Number 50
Friday, December 15, 2023
www.towntimes.com
BOS mulls using ARPA funds for culvert project
DONATION
By Michael Savino Special to The Times
The Durham Lions attended the Durham Animal Response Team’s monthly meeting on Dec. 7, where they presented a donation of a Milwaukee 18 volt Surge Impact and Hammer Drill Combo Kit. DART provides support in the event of an evacuation or natural disaster to mobilize and to assist animals and First Responders when animals are involved in an emergency situation. They have responded to both local and statewide emergencies. DART also sponsors an annual rabies clinic for local pets each year. The Durham Lions recognize the efforts and volunteerism provided by DART and thank them for their service to the community. Above, Richard Pasieka (President — Durham Lions) and Luke Backus present the gift to Brenda Eddy of DART. Photo by Durham Lion Rob Proctor
DOT planning warning signs to curb fatal crashes By Peter Prohaska Special to The Times
signs” on curvy local roads around the state. The first phase of this proIn a bid to improve overall gram is underway, with safety and cut down on fa- the DOT accepting public tal automobile crashes, comments through Dec. the Connecticut Depart19. ment of Transportation is Per the DOT’s official nopreparing to install new “horizontal curve warning tice, the project will be
limited to installing postmounted sheet aluminum signs on posts driven into the ground. No excavation or earthwork is anticipated as part of this project, which is focused on 220 roads out of roughly 480 See Safety, A8
had $19,000 in unencumbered, or unallocated, ARPA funds, but also noted the town could make specific transfers.
After a project to replace a culvert on Lake Shore Drive went over budget by $29,509, He noted, for example, the the Board of Selectmen are town allotted $25,000 to the looking for options to plug Parks and Recreation Dethe budget hole. partment for a basketball Selectmen didn’t make a de- court. cision during their Dec. 4 meeting, but discussed real- Selectman James Irish noted the department also has locating some American $20,000 in its capital imRescue Plan Act funding from other projects and pro- provement budget and questioned if the additional grams. $25,000 is needed. The board could make a decision at its Dec. 18 meeting. Yamartino also noted the Giving Garden has plans for First Selectman Robert Ya$7,000 of the $10,000 it remartino told the board that ceived, leaving $3,000 availactual construction on the able. culvert along Lake Shore Selectwoman Carol Bufithis, Drive came in under price. Other costs, including land- meanwhile, suggested taking $3,000 of the $5,000 allotted scaping and engineering, to the Common Ground pushed the total cost over, grant program. though. The town received $128,205 in state aid for the project while contributing $52,904. Yamartino said the town still
“If you want this money right now, then I would say take it,” she said. See Culvert, A7
Pictured is an assortment of warning signs used by the state DOT on curvy local roads to help motorists avoid crashes. Submitted photo