Mattapoisett residents on North Street can expect to deal with the recent sewer line replacement for some time, according to water and sewer department superintendent Nick Nicholson.  Crews are replacing an outdated sewer line from the corners of North and Main streets to north of Route 6 to connect with the Bay Club development. Route 6, however, will not be torn up.

Getting the project started was hard enough. A lack of funds, old storm drains, plus cable and gas lines created numerous hurdles. Deciding how best to keep the old line operating while replacing it was also a challenge. Work was to begin May 2, but started May 16. The Bay Club has taken on the fees for the repairs. Nicholson says the new line will be more efficient and reduce the risk of clogging and inflow.

“I have a lot of sympathy for everybody that lives here,” Nicholson says. “It is annoying. Construction is annoying. But when it’s done, it will look really nice.”

Although temporary paving has already been done, crews will continue to lay soil, fertilizer, and seed, as well as repair driveways throughout the week.

The work, however, is not over yet. The highway department is slated to install a new storm water drainage system on North Street to eliminate dirty water from entering the harbor. Surveyor Barry Denham, however,  says he is still waiting for funding and designs.

“At this point,” he says, “we don’t really have a good grasp of exactly what we’re going to be doing for the drainage outfall. At least not until we get to the permitting stage and find out what we’re allowed to do and how we will do it.”

Once the highway department completes their job, permanent blacktop will be laid, according to Nicholson.

Some residents on North Street are not too thrilled about the work. Daniel Briggs, who lives on the first block, says there’s been a lack of communication between the town and residents throughout the project.

“This morning I didn’t know they were going to pave. We park on the street, so my wife told me the police needed us to move our cars. It’s a nuisance, but I guess we have to deal with it,” Briggs said.

In addition, Briggs says his vestibule windows have been cracked due the vibrations of the jackhammers and roadwork. He has since worked it out with the contractor and insurance company, confident there will be no more hassles. Other things, like having his yard torn up or an old fence busted, have caused aggravation.

“They’re doing all they can,” he says. “But a lot of things don’t make sense, in that they’re paving now but the highway department is coming in later. It’s frustrating and doesn’t make any sense.”

Denham says he doesn’t know when the work will begin or how long it will take once it does.