By Chris Frost
EAGLE TIMES NEWS EDITOR
Newport, N.H. — Attendees were treated to an informative update during the Sunshine Initiative Summer Social on Thursday as Selectman Jeff Kessler told the crowd about the Town’s upward direction.
Kessler said Newport is doing what it can, as several large projects have recently been approved for funding.
“After having the EPA after us for over a decade, we have funding in place and a plan to upgrade our Wastewater Treatment Plant,” he said. “It’s about a $25 million project, and the sewer users are paying for half of that, and the Federal government is picking up the rest.”
He said the Town is currently putting in a new well in North Newport.
“Newport’s water supply comes from two sources on the South end of Town, he said. “They come down Unity Road through a pair of 100-year-old pipes. We’re in the process of upgrading and replacing those pipes, that is a very expensive project, and we’re doing it as we can. We have about $3 million worth of work going on there right now.”
He said the Selectmen got approval to put in a new well on the North side of Newport for redundancy.
“If those pipes go out again, they’ve gone out; we have another way of getting water into Town,” Kessler said. “That’s a $3.5 million project, with $ 3 million paid for by grants and other sources.”
Kessler hopes construction of a new Community Center will start this fall, which he said is going slower than he would like.
“I had hoped to see construction start by now; that’s a $9 million project, with all $9 million being raised through grants and donations,” he said. “There was no taxpayer money needed for construction.”
He said the airport is working on a master plan, and because of Senator Jeanie Shaheen, it was earmarked, and the FAA got a hold of it and said before repaving the runway, other things needed completion.
“Basically, it’s about a $700,000 paving job two years ago with the quote from Pike Industry in Lebanon that’s probably going to cost about $2 million by the time we’re done, and we meet all the Federal requirements,” Kessler said. “On the other side, the Feds and the State will pay for 95 percent of that project.”
He noted new windows at the Town Office, another earmark replacing the original windows in the 100-year-old building.
“I’m told it makes quite a difference,” he said.
He said the Town’s Manager recently left Newport, and they’re forming a search committee. The Public Works Director also quit.
“We’ve had some turnover in some key positions, and hopefully, we’ll be able to fill those positions shortly,” he said. “Certainly, before winter because the Public Works Director managing snow removal will become critical.”
He said there is a $16 million renovation at the Sugar River Tech Center, and renovation has been ongoing inside the building.
“Shortly, they hope to begin construction on a new natural science building for those programs to be self-contained,” Kessler said.
He said there is one workforce housing project underway on Spring Street, which is 42 units.
“We have the potential for another 70 units going in on the old Sunapee Street in the old Ruger Mill,” he said. “That’s been delayed, but that is construction that will benefit the community.”
He said there are a “couple of dirt parking lots” on the North Side of Town past the high school where they got funding to develop those lots into a Park and Ride.
“People who work in the upper valley, at the College or hospital, will have an opportunity to park and catch rides,” he said.
“We have a lot going on,” Kessler said.
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