Jay Cairelli, Public Works Director for the City of Lebanon was our speaker. He started his employment for the city in 2013, working in the Wastewater Treatment plant. He was in this position for 3 years. In 2016 he joined the administration team for the city. In 2023 there was a structure change, and at that point he became the Director of Public Works.
Jay Cairelli
Before he got into the nuts and bolts of Public Works, he told us how the city was affected by the storm on Saturday night. It caused localized flooding. It produced some very large hail. It became an “all hands-on deck” event. Working to get drains that were clogged by debris open to permit draining…then repairing road damage, etc.
He moved on to provide a broad overview of what is included in public works.
Using a variety of PowerPoint Slide he described the many projects he is overseeing. Below is text from the PowerPoint slides:
Route 12A Dry Bridge • The South Main Street Bridge was constructed in 1949 • DOT Red Listed • Total projected cost (2024 construction) $21,079,500 • Percentage of NHDOT participation 69.4% • State Share: $14,622,365 • City Share: $6,452,663.
He described what happened to cause the emergency closing of the dry bridge, and how the railroad is now telling the city, that during the repair trains will need access to one of the two rails under the bridge. The hope is that alternating traffic can be maintained on the bridge, but this may not be possible due to the railroads requirements. . Bridge reconstruction is programmed for construction in 2025 and 2026.
Etna Road Route 120 Sidewalk • 800 Feet From Intersection of 120 and Etna to Tree Top Condominiums on Etna Road • Low Bid: $157,517.50 • NHDOT Building the 120 Crossing Date Uncertain. • Phase 2: Old Etna Road from Route 120 to Wolf Road, where it connects with the City’s existing sidewalk network. Program year: post 2032
Slayton Hill to American Legion Sidewalk • About 800 feet • Congressionally Directed Spending: $292,250 • Total Cost Estimate: $625,000. Senator Shaheen helped get federal funding for this project.
Church Street Retaining Wall • Retaining wall height is anticipated to be approximately 3 to 8 feet, in general depending on location and existing topography. • The retaining wall extends along the east side of Church Street for about 350+/- • Low Bid: $320,490
Trues Brook Road Bridge • Bridge was built in 1952 and rebuilt in 1986 • This bridge has been placed on the NHDOT’s red list. • The construction of the bridge is eligible for up to 100% NHDOT funding through the Municipally Owned Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (MOBIL) program. • Design/Engineering and Property /Equipment Acquisition 80% 20% being City funding. The 2026- 2031 CIP request is to fund the additional costs required due to inflation. The City Council previously appropriated $5.3M • 2026-2031 CIP costs include $327K for Construction costs, and $26K for additional Property/Equipment Acquisition. Bridge reconstruction is 2026.
Lead Service Line Replacement • Loan Amount Requested: • $1,800,000 – Construction Costs • $360,000 – Construction Contingency • $150,000 – Engineering/Planning Costs • Estimated Cost per Full Service Line Replacement: $15,000 total • $7,500 City responsibility • $7,500 Resident responsibility Total Number of Service Lines Requiring Replacement: 126
Hanover Water Interconnection Booster Station • Station is being build right now • Will enable Lebanon to pump water from the Hanover water system to Lebanon • In the event of a water shortage will ensure the DHMC water pressure zone does not loose water. This repair is urgently needed.
New Water Source • Well is being drilled this this year • Estimated to be large enough to meet the existing and future needs of the entire City • Eliminates existing threat of Harmful Bacteria Blooms in the Mascoma River and other threats to surface water. • Estimated cost:$16 Million
Mechanic/Mascoma/High Street Roundabout • The project is municipally managed and is eligible for up to 80% Federal Funding. • The City Council previously appropriated $4.67M for the project, consisting of $606K for Design/Engineering, $305M for Construction, and $1.0M for Property/Equipment Acquisition. • 2026 CIP costs include $356K for additional Construction costs due to inflation. The estimated schedule for the roundabout project is to advertise for construction bids in June 2025 for construction in 2025 and 2026.
Jay will need to come back, as the list of issues under his domain is extensive, and would require more than 20 minutes to cover. These are the items he had hoped to cover:
- Sustainability Initiatives including LED and Solar lighting projects;
- Landfill gas; Fleet electrical conversion;
- Water Treatment and Storm Water;
- Extending the Landfill’s Life; Road Maintenance; Sidewalks.
His last side was about how we can report issues to DPW.
HOW TO REPORT AN ISSUE • Monday through Friday 8AM-4PM 603-448-3112 • After Hours and Weekends Police Dispatch 603- 448-1212
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