The Mattapoisett Neck Road improvement project hit a $43,000 speed bump last week.

The road repairs are the final step in a $6.4 million sewer project. The Water and Sewer Department had planned to repair only the side of the road damaged by the pipes. However, since the road was on Highway Surveyor Barry Denham’s road improvement list, he recommended paving the portion south of the Bike Trail, including several side roads. Waiting on the project would mean uneven pavement and a $500,000 project in a few years, said Denham.

At Special Town Meeting in November, Mattapoisett voters approved a $230,000 appropriation from Free Cash to fund the project. But on Tuesday, representatives from Tighe and Bond Engineers gave Selectmen bad news. Reviewing the contract and project details revealed that the budget was $43,218 over the original estimate.

“No paving work has proceeded, so no cost has been incurred. We need to try to work out a plan to accomplish the paving work and stay within available funds,” said Ronald Michalski, a consultant with the firm. Michalski admitted that the firm had miscalculated and failed to anticipate changeover costs, those fees outside the contract.

Michalski presented five options to move forward with the improvements, including removing side roads from the paving project, limiting the project to the existing budget, and paying the additional $43,000.

“It seems to me a very large piece of this puzzle was missed by the people who were supposed to bring the pieces to us,” said Chair Jordan Collyer. “My humble opinion is that Mattapoisett shouldn’t bear any of the cost.”

Settling for a lesser project than what residents approved was out of the question. “I can’t in good faith go back to [voters] and say we’ve got to now add $43,000,” said Selectman Tyler Macallister.

The Water and Sewer Commission could vote to take the money out of its fund, and Town Administrator Mike Gagne said the town did have $59,000 from state funds for road projects. But Gagne said, “This is the only money we have for road work, and that was the only way we’re going to put a new overlay on West Hill Road.”

Selectman Paul Silva had choice words for Tighe and Bond, a company the town has worked with for 39 years. “I suggest if you like working in this town, you figure out how that thing is going to get done for the $230,000 we approved at Town Meeting. You go to the contractor. You’re the engineer, you figure it out,” said Silva.

The project was scheduled to start this month.

“Memorial Day is 34 days away. That doesn’t give us much time,” said Denham. “I think it’s very important that this project go on, and go on as it was presented."

And if the town does end up paying out of pocket for the excess, Silva suggested taking legal action.

Michalski maintained that he had maintained "integrity and honesty" in the matter. "I did the right think by canceling the paving work. Yes, there was some errors, but again no work took place," he said.

In the end, Collyer made plans to meet with the contractor and engineer on Wednesday to review the contract and negotiate a lower price. Michalski also said the company's management might agree to pay $10,000 to $15,000 of the excess costs.