ROCKINGHAM — At its Sept. 20 meeting, the Selectboard began the process of repairing the town's three covered bridges that were damaged by Tropical Storm Irene.
The board approved a $108,516 bid by Tim Andrews of Barns & Bridges for repair of the Hall Bridge.
According to Municipal Manager Timothy Cullenen, the town has received $34,460 for repairs from its insurance policy through the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT).
The policy covers everything except the bridge abutments, said Cullenen, who hopes that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will pick up the cost of those repairs.
As for Rockingham's two other covered bridges - the now-destroyed Bartonsville Bridge and the badly damaged Worrall Birdge, Cullenen said the town has engaged the services of two consulting firms, one to look at the abutments for the Lower Bartonsville Bridge and one to do pre-engineering assessment and cost estimates for the Bartonsville Bridge and the Worrall Bridge.
Once this process is completed, Cullenen said the town will put out bids for the Worrall Bridge repairs, and community meetings will be held to discuss options for the Bartonsville Bridge.
Cullenen said a temporary span to take place of the Bartonsville Bridge, which was swept away by flood waters, will cost between $150,000 and $180,000, which may or may not be reimbursed by FEMA.
As for the recently restored Worrall Bridge, it needs significant repairs before it can reopen.
Selectboard Chair Thomas MacPhee said the Bartonsville Bridge should be a priority, but Cullenen believes both bridges can be handled simultaneously.
Lower Bartonsville resident Sandy Rogstad told the board that some residents were concerned that the cost of installing a temporary bridge would remove funds available for a permanent replacement.
Rogstad asked about the Peck Bridge in Chester and if repairs could be done to this span for resident travel.
MacPhee told Rogstad that the town of Chester owns this bridge, and that he has heard that the town would not repair it this year.
Another Lower Bartonsville resident, Susan Chase, encouraged the Selectboard to talk to the Chester Town Manager about the Peck Bridge.
Cullenen said he will be in contact with Chester and report back on this discussion.