Madawaska to seek $500,000 grant for road reconstruction

MADAWASKA – Street reconstruction is an expensive project, so Madawaska will apply for $500,000 from the state’s Community Development Block Grant program for the reconstruction of Twelfth and Fourteenth avenues next summer.

Selectmen approved a series of motions Tuesday night for the application, which needs to be filed by Friday, the state’s deadline for the grant applications.

The town will jointly apply for the grant with the Madawaska Water District. The water district is not putting any money into the project, but it will furnish in-kind, labor and inspection services.

The total reconstruction cost for the two streets is estimated at $845,000. The town plans to borrow the difference between the total cost of the project and funds received from the grant. Even if the town gets the grant, there is no guarantee that the amount would be the entire $500,000.

A survey of people living on the two streets has been conducted. According to Town Manager Fred Ventresco, the area has a low-to moderate-income ratio of 54 percent. A ratio of at least 51 percent is needed to qualify for the block grant money.

The town is proposing to install new water and sewer lines in the project area. While doing the utility work, the town also would be reconstructing the roadways in the project area.

On Twelfth Avenue, the project would be done between the intersection of Acadia and French streets. On Fourteenth Avenue, the project area will be from Main Street to Fox Street.

The actual construction costs for the two streets is estimated at $812,000. The remaining $33,000 is projected to cover engineering, inspection and incidental costs.

The project, in the planning phase for about three years, includes engineering costs of about $35,000, which have been paid.

The town held a public hearing on the proposal last month.

Wright and Pierce Engineering has done the preliminary work on the projects.

Town councilors were quick to point out Tuesday night that the amount the town would have to borrow would not increase municipal tax rates.

The town is making its final payment of $137,500 on a street reconstruction loan made for work on Eleventh Avenue three years ago.