Evaluating some of the town’s bridges, funding Phase II of the bike path and paying for repairs to the library are among the 18 items on the agenda for Mattapoisett’s Special Town Meeting.

All eligible voters may participate in the meeting, which will be held at the Old Rochester Regional High School auditorium at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 9.

One item on the list is a $25,000 appropriation from free cash to assess bridges and culverts on Acushnet Road.

“I sat down with [Highway Surveyor] Barry Denham, and we decided to do an assessment...versus identifying a problem when a hole develops,” said Town Administrator Mike Gagne.

The evaluation is being proposed in light of the Tinkham Pond bridge project that has taken more than a year to design, get permits and replace after it was unexpectedly deemed unfit for travel. (That project is two to three weeks away from completion, said Denham.)

He said three bridges and culverts, ranging in age from about 65 to 75 years old will be inspected.

“It's in our best interest to get a good peek at them,” Denham said.

He can then determine where they will fit on the town's road improvement plan.

Voters will also be asked to approve funds to replace the library’s roof. Since its renovation in 2005, several things have been found faulty, including leaky windows. This time, the problem is with loose shingles that pose a safety risk.

“We’re finding that they're breaking off in significant numbers in high wind situations,” Gagne said. “It's a danger to patrons.”

Once the town realized the problem, it looked into the slates and found that there is a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer. Gagne said the town hopes to get reimbursed for the cost of replacing the shingles. Bids are already out to get the job done before winter returns, so the exact cost is not yet known.

The bike path will again be on the Town Meeting agenda, this go round with two actionable items. Seventeen thousand dollars will be requested from free cash for engineering, design, permitting and other needs for Phase 1B of the project, which will bring the path from Mattapoisett Neck Road to Depot Street.

Voters will also be asked to approve an as yet determined amount for geological borings along the bike path that will determine where bedrock is in wetland areas where a bridge will likely be constructed.

Other items on the agenda include acceptance of a new rule that will require a 2/3 vote for bylaw changes. The town already received approval from the state allowing the change, but voters will be asked to give it the final OK.

Gagne said the Selectmen sought the change from a simple majority vote to bring it into line with the rules for altering zoning regulations. Several housekeeping and recurring items are also on the list, including appropriating funds to the capital improvement fund and road repairs.

To review the complete agenda, click here.