FARMINGTON – Selectmen approved taking money from reserves to pay for work on Walton’s Mill Dam this summer.

Nearly $12,700 will be taken from the undesignated fund balance and another $926.69 from the Walton’s Mill Dam reserve account.

Since the last board meeting, Davis received the project’s final bill from Ron Greenwood, who served as overseer. The bill amounted to $13,619.76, Town Manager Richard Davis said, for Greenwood’s work, his helper and materials.

Overdrafts resulted from unknowns, Davis said. The contractors took longer than expected, renting a pump to keep the area dry, and heavy rains slowed work. The job also called for a more solid foundation for the retaining wall on the north side of the dam.

Voters approved spending $32,000 on the project, but the overdrafts brought the expenses closer to $52,000. Even with the overdrafts, Davis said, it came in better than consultant’s estimates.

The board also held two public hearings as required by the community development block grant programs for funding work done on the Old North Church restoration project and the Church Street reconstruction project.

The cement foundation has been completed in the Old North Church, and the project is on target to help the building become the Farmington History Center, Davis said.

Taffy Davis from the Farmington Historical Society told the board that the first phase of the project went well and the building should stand for another 140 years.

Hardwood flooring, painting, bathrooms and window work comes under the second phase, she said. For that phase, another $100,000 is needed for work, but more information is needed, she said, before she could give a time frame for the work to be done.

Work on the Church Street reconstruction has been finished for this fall, Davis told the board, except for special lighting for Cony Street. The lights should be completed within the next few weeks making access to the county parking lot on Anson Street an easier walk to the downtown area.

Crews will come back in the spring for final paving, he said. Private business owners have agreed to pave the alley beside Reny’s for access to Church Street.

In other business, the board discussed improving the appearance of the town’s gateway from Farmington Falls Road. Murray suggested that the area was not welcoming and should be addressed before budget work begins.

Also, a legislative sentiment was presented to Davis on Tuesday during the selectmen’s meeting.

State Reps. Thomas Saviello, Janet Mills and Walter Gooley commended Davis for his recognition as town manager of the year, an award given to him earlier this fall by his peers in the state’s city and town managers’ association.

“We’re proud and lucky to have him as our town manager,” Chairman Charles Murray said after the presentation.