DARIEN, CT — The Board of Selectmen is scheduled to consider transferring $41,155 for legal expenses related to the Great Island parking and access project.
The board will hold a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, in Room 206 of Darien Town Hall. The agenda lists the meeting as in person and does not provide a virtual participation option.
The selectmen are scheduled to discuss and take action on the request before referring it to the Board of Finance.
According to explanatory comments in the meeting packet, the request includes $26,155 in legal expenses incurred from August through October and $15,000 for continued legal counsel during the Planning and Zoning Commission approval process.
Most of the costs incurred through October, totaling $22,489, were for review and guidance involving conservation restrictions and regulatory approvals. The remaining expenses involved guidance on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The transfer would bring legal expenses for the project to $48,044, according to the explanatory comments. Additional funding could be requested if the remaining legal costs exceed $15,000.
In a separate request, the board may transfer $9,000 to update the Great Island traffic study completed in December 2023.
The original study used October 2023 traffic counts to examine three intersections, including the signalized intersection of Boston Post Road and Rings End Road. The analysis concluded that the project would not change the level of service at the intersections.
According to the explanatory comments, the town and its traffic consultant believe new traffic counts should be collected to support the earlier analysis and account for the property usage parameters approved by the selectmen Oct. 29 for a special permit application. The updated review would be conducted as part of the project's Planning and Zoning Commission special permit application.
The board is also scheduled to discuss and take action on a separate $35,578 transfer to cover an overrun on the recently completed paving of the lower parking lot at Town Hall.
The project had an original budget of $100,000. During milling, crews encountered areas with insufficient asphalt depth and other sections where the pavement was nearly 6 inches thick, according to the explanatory comments.
The unforeseen conditions required additional asphalt and removal work. The requested money would be transferred from the townwide paving account.
The agenda also includes presentations from the Advisory Sidewalk Committee and on town drainage projects.
The board is expected to receive an update on its parking strategy. Updates on the town's charter and ordinance review and an agreement with Darien EMS-Post 53 are also listed.
Public comment is included on the agenda. Residents may speak for up to three minutes during the designated period or submit written comments before the meeting.
View the full agenda packet here.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Darien Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.