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New Canaan Council Closes Out Bridge Repair Case

NEW CANAAN, Conn. – The book appears closed on the controversial Lakeview Avenue bridge arbitration as the New Canaan Town Council approved a $1.5 million appropriation for money already spent on the repair project.

Members of the New Canaan Town Council vote Wednesday to approve an appropriation for the Lakeview Avenue Bridge construction and arbitration costs.

Members of the New Canaan Town Council vote Wednesday to approve an appropriation for the Lakeview Avenue Bridge construction and arbitration costs.

Photo Credit: Melvin Mason

The council voted Wednesday night to approve the appropriation of funds, which includes arbitration costs.  Council members also voted unanimously to approve a resolution allowing First Selectman Robert Mallozzi III to apply for state reimbursements.

The entire bridge project will end up costing more than $3.087 million, but the town will be reimbursed about $1.556 million, Town Council member Kit Devereaux said. The town’s total share for the bridge will be $1.54 million, including about $902,000 in legal expenses and arbitration costs.

A $24,000 payment to BL Cos. for engineering services related to the Lakeview Bridge project was also approved. That was the only money left unpaid since the repair project was completed.

Town Council members became angry in April 2011 when they were told that an arbitration award for the bridge work was paid to Loureiro Contractors without the council’s knowledge. The money was paid with capital nonrecurring funds. Former First Selectman Jeb Walker accepted responsibility for the council not being aware of the payment and apologized for not letting it know sooner.

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