Infrastructure Updates
April 2026 Bridge Report
- Applied for bonds and notes from MVSB and the NH Bond Bank
- Submitted a reimbursement request for $6,336 for invoices for Rowentown Road
- Received $2,900.69 in reimbursements for East Side Rd invoices from March reimbursement request
- Received $14,117.05 in reimbursements for North Dorchester from March reimbursement request
- Received $34,503.99 in reimbursements for Cross Rd from March reimbursement request
- Obtained all 4 easement documents from abutters on Cross Rd
- 4/13 Met with HEB engineers pertaining to the progress of Cross Rd permits and found out that the Army Core of Engineers determined that no trees could be removed between 4/15 and 10/31 to protect the bats so initiated an emergency removal of the trees
- Coordinated with the electric company for pole relocation at Cross Rd Bridge
- Submitted Quarterly Progress Reports with the State for Cross, Rowentown, and N. Dorchester
- Cross Rd was put out to advertise 4/22 with a pre-bid meeting 5/5 and sealed bids to be received until 2:00 PM 5/14, at which time the bids received will be publicly opened and read
- Began coordination for final paving of Frescoln Rd Bridge
- Received a deadline extension to 5/2/27 for Rowentown and N. Dorchester
Respectfully submitted,
Renee Ferland
Select Board Assistant for Infrastructure Development
603-960-4865
Bond Hearing Information presented 1/31/2026
Infrastructure Presentation 12/18/2025
Town Bond Financing for the Ongoing Bridge Infrastructure Projects; A look at what this option means to the Town now and in the future.
This is a Municipal Funding Strategy with a fixed interest rate of 5.75%.
Bond Details and Purpose
Bond Financing Overview:
A $2.5 million bond at 5.75% interest over 20 years will provide the Town with the funding needed to complete construction on 4 new bridges in need of replacement. Important to note: the Town will not be carrying the full weight of this bond for 20 years as after construction completion in 2028, the Town will be able to make large payments on the principal with Federal Reimbursement Funds received at the completion of each project (if adhering to the current Grant Agreements).
Purpose and Benefits:
The bond aims to allow the Town to improve transportation, safety, and economic growth by replacing failing bridges in a timely manner.
Fixed Interest Advantage:
A fixed interest rate provides predictable annual payments, aiding stable municipal budget planning.
Long-term Financial Impact:
Spreading payments over 20 years helps budget management but incurs accumulating interest costs.
Annual Payment Amount:
The annual payment of approximately $213,558.75 includes both principal and interest over 20 years. Payments remain constant, but early payments are mostly interest while later payments include more principal.
How this affects taxes:
Tax Rate Increase per $1,000 of Assessed Value
Total Assessed Value Annual Payment Tax Rate Increase/$1000
$132,483,737 $213,558.75 $1.61
Example Home Value Additional Annual Tax
$300,000 $483
$500,000 $805
Summary:
The proposed $2.5 million bond at 5.75% interest requires annual payments of approximately $213,559 over 20 years, increasing property taxes by approximately $1.61/$1,000 assessed value annually.
The bond introduces long-term debt, requiring careful planning and community support for the projects. Residents must weigh economic and quality-of-life improvements against the financial cost of the bond. As of this writing, without the bond, no bridge projects can be completed within the allotted Grant Agreement Timelines and Federal Funding will be withdrawn.
Frescoln Bridge Construction is nearly finished! A final paving in the spring will conclude this project. Click the links for more photos.
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Updated August 13, 2025
Rowentown Road Bridge: Through pending Federal Grants and Town funding, the current undersized culverts will be replaced, and the inlets and outlets stabilized. These mitigation measures intend to reduce flooding and improve hydraulic conditions. This project has been awarded. HEB Engineers have been selected to head this project and it is currently in the Predesign stage. Communication with abutters has been established and wetland delineation has been performed. The project is on track for a preliminary design submission in January 2026, with construction in 2027.
North Dorchester Road Culverts: Through pending Federal Grants and Town funding, the current undersized culverts will be replaced, and the inlets and outlets stabilized. These mitigation measures intend to reduce flooding and improve hydraulic conditions. This project has been awarded. The Turner Group has been selected as engineers for the project and the wetland delineation has been performed. This project is in the predesign phase.
Frescoln Road Bridge: Through State and Town funding, the existing bridge over Rocky Pond Brook will be replaced by a precast concrete arch bridge, roadway reconstruction, guardrail installation, stream restoration, and stream bank stabilization. These mitigation measures would meet the hydraulic requirements and intend to prevent further flooding and damages to Frescoln Road. This project is progressing through the NHDOT State Aid Bridge (SAB) Program through the Bureau of Planning and Community Assistance (BPCA). Construction by R.M. Piper has begun with completion scheduled this fall, 2025.
Cross Road Bridge: Through a recently awarded Federal Grant and Town funding, the existing bridge over Rocky Pond Brook will be replaced with a longer-spanned bridge intending to minimize future flooding and damages to Cross Road. This project is in the design and permitting stages.
East Side Road Bridge: Through Congressionally Directed Spending and Town funding, the existing bridge will be replaced intending to minimize future flooding and damages to East Side Road. HEB Engineers have been selected to head this project and have developed bridge replacement alternatives as well as conceptual drawings and cost estimates for each. The engineering study is anticipated to be completed in September, 2025.