BOWDOINHAM

It didn’t take long for Bowdoinham residents to approve funding for a new public works facility.

The project was approved at a special town meeting Wednesday, which brought out 66 registered voters. No public comment was made before the vote, and Town Manager William Post said there were only about four votes in opposition.

Voters approved the town borrowing up to $2.6 million for the project, as the town anticipates acquiring a 25- year bond.

“Part of this project has been in the works for a long time,” Post said. “It’s not a cheap project, but people understand it’s needed.”

In 2016, the town identified 121 Pond Road as a potential new location for the facility. The site was purchased in March 2017.

The current River Road site would have needed significant repairs to continue serving the town’s public works needs, and the present garage was not big enough to house all the department’s vehicles. In addition, the winter sand and salt mixture sits outside.

The final step needed before work can begin, Post said, will be obtaining a construction permit from the town’s Planning Board on April 12; a contract for the project is expected to be signed the following day. On Tuesday, town selectmen approved a project bid submitted by Lupo Construction.

As for the future of the River Road location — it’s likely going to become a public recreation area. Selectmen also authorized the Planning Board to seek proposals from a landscape architect to provide a new vision for the land.

chris@timesrecord.com