New Culvert Bids An Cost Savings (for wood turtles)

November 01, 2010, By LORI STABILE


PALMER - The discovery of wood turtles, a state-protected species, near a damaged culvert on Quaboag Street in Three Rivers forced a redesign of the culvert's replacement, but it turned out to be less expensive for the town in the end.

Acting Town Manager Patricia A. Kennedy said out of 10 bids submitted on Wednesday, Hammond Construction, of North Oxford, was the low bidder with $38,053.

The first time the project was advertised, the low bid was $49,000, she said.

The Town Council recently appropriated $62,000 from the stabilization fund to repair the culvert, which is near the Quaboag River. The culvert collapsed after a summer rainstorm, resulting in erosion and encroachment on a neighboring shed.While the area was stabilized with hay bales, that was only a temporary fix.

Said Acting Public Works Department Superintendent Richard P. Kaczmarczyk, "Hopefully we'll get it going in the next few weeks."

The first bid was rejected after the issues with the wood turtle were discovered by the state's natural heritage program during the review process, Kennedy said.

She said this wasn't the first time the wood turtle altered a project in the village of Three Rivers, noting the recent Springfield Street reconstruction.

A "special walkway" under Springfield Street, by the pond near the blueberry farm, was made for them so they could cross the road without getting crushed by cars.

From: HerpDigest Volume # 10 Issue # 47 11/5/10 (A Not-for-Profit Publication)