FARMINGTON — Selectmen on Tuesday unanimously approved creating a U-shaped driveway to help Whittier Road resident Sally Buckman.

They also approved a proposal for a biological assessment to complete the information needed for a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to stabilize the riverbank. The cost may be rolled into the FEMA grant, which could reimburse the town 75 percent.

The board also gave the town manager authority to discuss easements with two property owners. The easements provide the ability to create a bypass road connecting the Whittier Road and Route 156 over these properties.

Franklin County Emergency Management Director Tim Hardy and Fire Chief Terry Bell went to Buckman’s home following a Tuesday morning meeting where she voiced concerns about the ability to access her home if the road fails or the town decides to close it. The home is directly across from the Sandy River bank erosion.

Hardy said a simple solution of creating a U-shaped driveway at a cost of $300 for a culvert and $700 for gravel would give Buckman access back on to Whittier at a point above the area of concern. An easement is needed from Buckman but the board approved the work.

After Jones and Denis Castonguay, public works director, walked the potential woods road Tuesday, Castonguay reported creating a three-quarter mile road would be expensive but would give a way for light traffic to get around the road closure, if necessary, Town Manager Richard Davis said.

A couple of wet areas need to be checked by Jones for vernal pools, Davis said.

Davis also reported that he asked Maine EMA questions Tuesday about what kind of emergency work the town can do on the banking without jeopardizing grant funding.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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