FARMINGTON — Work on the new Front Street drainage system is expected to begin around the middle of May, Town Manager Richard Davis said.

“It’s been a long road, but I think it’s safe to say that the town is pleased to finally get going on this important project,” he said.

Davis told the Board of Selectmen in March that the site for discharge into the Sandy River from the system is in a prime salmon spawning habitat. He said this week that a solution had been found.

“The original plan was modified somewhat to include a retention pond to filter any pollutants before discharging to the river,” Davis said. “This has been done and accepted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Army Corps of Engineers.  The town now has its permits in place and will soon be signing a contract with E.L. Vining & Son so we can get started.” 

As part of the effort to secure easements, the board accepted an agreement among the town, the University of Maine at Farmington and Front Street property owner John Moore, at their meeting Tuesday.

The agreement concerns a town parking area off Front Street that was leased by the town and the university from Farmington Construction in 2000. The parking area is next to the Better Living Center and Prescott Field and is now owned by Moore. 

Under the 2000 agreement, the town and university accepted responsibility for maintaining the parking area, which is noted as flat, well-drained, paved and lighted for pedestrian safety. The entities would equally share costs related to making improvements to the property.

The town took on sole provision for snow and winter sand and garbage removal, appropriate signs, striping parking spaces and electrical charges for lighting. 

Moore recently reminded the town and university of their obligations in regard to lighting. Changes to the lighting system have been made, but other obligations are on hold while the town secures installation of underground drainage on both properties owned by Moore, according to the agreement.

In the agreement, Moore asks the town to fulfill its obligations by the end of the new drainage project. He also sought a commitment from the town and university to fulfill the original provisions as outlined in 2000. If they fail to do so, Moore can undertake the work and be reimbursed by the town and university.

Moore also acquired property near the Better Living Center, which was formerly owned by Joe and Beth Paradis.

Because of potential disruption of Moore’s business during the drainage project, Moore asked that the work on both properties be done between May 15 and June 15.

Davis thought that was “doable.”

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