AGENDA # 5c
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Response to Petition to Widen and Install Curb-and-Gutter on a Section of Old Oxford Road
DATE: March 6, 2000
The following report responds to a petition received by the Council at its January 10, 2000 meeting. The petition requests that the Town widen a portion of Old Oxford Road and install curb-and-gutter. A copy of the petition is attached.
Last year, the Town installed a sidewalk along a portion of the east side of Old Oxford Road, including associated roadway widening and installation of curb-and-gutter.
The portion of Old Oxford Road referred to in this petition is on the west side and involves the last section of Old Oxford Road currently without curb-and-gutter.
We investigated the site of the requested improvements, and determined that the project would involve construction of approximately 500 linear feet of curb-and-gutter and typically six feet of pavement widening, with associated grading and stabilization. We estimate the cost of these improvements to be $30,000 if done by private contract; or $18,000 if done by Town forces charging only for equipment and materials costs (no labor, overhead, or profit charges).
The Town routinely evaluates and prioritizes street improvements needed throughout the community. The improvements identified on Old Oxford Road are on the Town’s master list, but have not been given a high priority when compared to other community needs based on relative safety, service, and/or maintenance problems present at this location.
We think that these improvements could be undertaken as a formal paving petition project where property owners contribute 50% of the cost of the improvements and the Town pays the remaining 50%. The most recent example of such a project was the paving of Sugarberry Road.
We will assist the owners of property along Old Oxford Road to prepare a formal paving petition for assessing 50% of the street improvement costs to petitioners, if they desire to use such an approach.
Once we receive a valid paving petition, we will return to the Council with recommendations for funding the Town share and for proceeding according to the process required by State statutes.
If the Old Oxford Road property owners do not wish to share in the cost of these improvements via the paving petition process, this project would remain on our Town-wide street improvement list for construction in the future when resources are available, unless the Council directs other action(s). We have no time schedule for when this could be completed as a routine Town project.
1. Map (p.3)
2. Petition (p.4)