“Work continues to rebuild the city’s streets,” wrote Selectboard Chairman Richard Charland, referring to repairs since the July 10-11 storm and flash floods that severely damaged many of the city’s gravel roads.

Due to high water levels in Ridley Brook, work is taking longer than planned. Repairs to the abutment of Bridge 41, which were supposed to be completed last week, will take a few more days. The work is expected to be completed this week, Charland said.

That work includes recovering and reinstalling the concrete blocks that were used to reinforce the abutments but were washed downstream in July, he explained. Other areas along the road leading to the bridge need to be worked on. “We ask for patience, we will take care of them,” he said.

Additionally, the bridge repairs were critical to scheduling work on the upper section of Camel’s Hump Road above the intersection with Scrabble Hill Road. The weight limit for the road was lowered during the bridge work, so heavy equipment and large rocks could not be brought in for work on the landslide in the upper section. Once the bridge is completed, that project will continue. Charland said they hope to begin road repairs on Monday, August 26.

Entrance culverts

At its last meeting, the Selectboard discussed damage to access culverts as a result of the July storm. City policy requires property owners to be responsible for installing, replacing and maintaining these culverts. Financial compensation to repair the damage would be covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Disaster Aid program. Property owners would need to apply for this assistance. The state of Vermont has asked the federal government for a disaster declaration, which would provide this assistance. That decision has not yet been announced. “We will monitor this and pass on any information we receive as quickly as possible,” Charland wrote to city residents.

The Selectboard is also reviewing the City’s curbside policy and will discuss any updates to it at its next meeting.

Job as a road worker

A member of the Town of Duxbury road crew was recently injured on the job. He is scheduled to undergo surgery later this month and will be unable to work. The Selectboard will advertise the position. Interested applicants should contact the Town Office.