Resident says catch basins are a priority

SHARON — While most Sharon residents have been saying they’re pleased with First Selectman Bob Loucks’ efforts to repair Sharon’s ailing roads, Howard Randall believes the town is going about the project irresponsibly.

Randall voiced his opinion during the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 14.

In particular, he is concerned that culverts and catch basins, which collect water as it drains off  the roads, should be repaired before the roads are paved.

Loucks has been moving fast on the roadwork, trying to get as much done before the worst of the winter weather sets in.

If repairs are not made now, Loucks said, some town roads may be impassable this winter.

There are about 16 catch basins that need repairs. Loucks said they will be worked on in spring.

Randall asked, “Are we going to do the basins before we pave the roads?�

He referred to the way the town of Amenia does its repairs: They fix the drainage systems before repairing the roads, he said.

“We’re doing it backward. We’re doing the roads first, then the drainage.�

He also criticized the town for repairing the catch basins instead of spending the extra money to fully replace them.

He brought pictures of basins that he had taken himself to support his point, and said that many of the basins are fully deteriorated all the way to their bottoms.

Loucks responded that there is limited funding for the road project, and that fixing the catch basins will be less expensive than buying new ones.

Margaret Keilty spoke in defense of Loucks and the road project, saying that residents should not expect the town to be able to undo many years of neglect at once.

“We have to give people time to get the work done,� she said.

Loucks said that Randall’s comments would be taken into consideration when the town goes about repairing the roads in the spring.

“If we all work together, we can have a good project,� he said.

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