An article on paving four dirt roads generated the most discussion at Mattapoisett’s Town Meeting on Monday, May 14 and was the only one not to pass.

Article 36, Road Paving, was brought by various petitioners requesting $140,000 for the purpose of paving the dirt roads Pinehurst, Kerwin and Oaklawn Avenues and Cedar Point.

Irma Nicholson spoke on behalf of the petitioners, saying the area was largely populated by elderly people.

“When any of us walk down these gravel roads we have to be careful we don’t fall,” she said.

“It would be a decided benefit for those of us who rely on the roads for daily use.”

Regarding the town’s five-year road improvement plan, Nicholson said she didn’t understand why paved roads were receiving attention while many town roads had not been paved at all.

Highway Surveyor Barry Denham agreed that the roads should be paved, but said he didn’t want to take money out of the road improvement plan.

“That is voted for certain blacktop roads that will be much more expensive to fix if we let them deteriorate,” he said. “Residents shouldn’t have to live on a dirt road but we need the funding.”

Denham also doubted that the amount proposed for the article would pay for excavation, drainage and paving the dirt roads.

“We’ve got a lot more questions than we do have answers,” he said.

“The $140,000 may not even scratch the surface with the environmental engineering.”

Additionally, as the article called for the funds to come out of available revenues, rather than a designated account, it would unbalance the budget.

“There is certainly agreement in principal, but there is the problem of funding,” said Town Moderator Jack Eklund.

He cautioned that approving the article would require a special town meeting before July 1 to approve a balanced budget.

Selectman Paul Silva said, “If we have to come back here and cut the budget to make it work, it’s coming from the school, the police, the Highway Department. There is no fat in this budget.”

Several residents addressed concerns over the lack of a concrete number, and the fact that there are many other public roads beyond the four in the article that need to be paved.

“I don’t have any problem with doing it. I think all of the dirt roads in town should be paved. Maybe we have to look at the whole picture,” said resident Cecile Sanders.

“You can’t vote for $140,000 if it could cost $140,000 and a lot more.”

At Eklund’s proposal, Nicholson decided to indefinitely postpone the motion.

“I think it’s best for us to withdraw this and present it again for Fall,” she said.

For complete coverage of the Mattapoisett May Town Meeting visit www.Sippican.VillageSoup.com.