KINGFIELD – The plan to redevelop the village area has steadily made progress, and voters could see final plans within a year.

On Monday night, David Guernsey, chairman of the Kingfield Road Reconstruction Committee, explained a schedule and financing prospects for renovation of the downtown area the next three years.

The committee was organized in 2011 to collaborate with the Maine Department of Transportation on their proposed Route 27 construction project, which will extend from the north to south ends of the town.

“The process is unpredictable,” he said. “Our job is to work with (MDOT) within their time frame.”

Taxpayers will not be asked to fund construction costs, but if they approve unbudgeted extras, like granite curbs and different streetlights, money can come from Tax Increment Financing reserves.

“Previous town meetings have been building the TIF accounts, setting aside $10,000 for sidewalks and $30,000 for village enhancement,” he said.

Guernsey said committee meetings in November and December produced recurring themes. Since drivers should slow down as they approach the village, and current provisions for pedestrians and bicycles are adequate, any reconstruction design should include those improvements.

Although the MDOT has a right of way on each side of the road, the committee will ask that existing property boundaries be disturbed as little as possible. Engineers can’t start surveys until spring, but they will be able to present a preliminary design for a public hearing. Residents also may view a large map in Webster Hall, which provides details of the construction areas.

“I’m not sure what the processes is, but eventually they’ll come up with a finished design that they’ll use to go to the higher-ups in the Legislature to get funding for the project,” he said.

Planning and design could be finalized by next fall, Guernsey said, with a projected 2014 date for the construction process. Guernsey cautioned selectmen that state road construction projects can be rescheduled and funding can disappear, so the project is not guaranteed.

State funding will pay 80 percent of costs for new sidewalks, he said, and will fund 50 percent for streetlights. Additional costs must be paid by the town, and Guernsey explained that budget.

The town has a $10,000 sidewalk reserve fund, he said, and a $30,000 village enhancement capital fund. Because the town raised its tax rate, the TIF fund has benefited.

“You had about $53,000 in unappropriated TIF funds,” he said. “Since you increased the tax rate, all that money went right down to the bottom line, and that $53,000 increased to $78,000.”

Of the $160,000 of unappropriated TIF dollars at the end of the next fiscal year, Guernsey proposed taking $100,000 for the Route 27 project and leaving $60,000. The sum of $20,000 would go toward Economic Development consultant Rodney’s Lynch’s salary for the next year. The remaining funds could be used to replenish the Planning Fund and pay consultants’ fees.

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