Ron Walker- Guest Commentary
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The Strand Project contract was signed October 19, 2023 by President Tom Costigan. It included work to be done at the TAYC, yet less than 3 weeks prior at the town meeting, Cheryl Lewis explains that the yacht club would not be getting the work done.
Underwood and Associates began work on October 23, 2023. After depositing hundreds of tons of mulch, sand and various aggregates, they left the site at the end of November for the winter.
Underwood had arrived back to Oxford on Monday April 9, 2024 to continue working on the project. There had been tremendous erosion to the shore from the winter months. I estimated 20 feet of beach had been washed away. Underwood began moving material and bringing in more sand.
On Wednesday, April 10, 2024 I took the following photos as I called Tom Costigan and asked if he could come up to the Strand. When he arrived I showed him how Chris Becraft, partner in Underwood, had begun to cover the existing grass along the road with sand. I suggested that he tell Chris to follow their own plans and prevent the grass walk from being covered. Tom did not. Chris Becraft proceeded to cover the grass walk and ignore the plans his firm has drawn for the Town of Oxford. The grass walk was a crucial part of the project for pedestrian safety.
Below is what the Grass Walkway looks like now after Underwood's return twice to the Strand. It's not the original grass. The current Town Manager made several efforts to fix it.
This is why I am voting for Dave Donovan. Dave understands the lack of proper management of these projects.https://donovan4oxford.com
If you would like more information about the Strand Project, I would be glad to talk to you about it. I spent 17 months working on the facts of the Strand Project.
