Exeter Capital Improvement Program

Capital Projects

The Town of Exeter capital improvement program emphasizes infrastructure improvements over a rolling 6 year period.  These improvements are in core areas such as roads, water lines and facilities, sewer lines and facilities, dams, sidewalks, and other town infrastructure.  The town has engaged in an aggressive capital improvement program over the past several years.  Many improvements have helped the town meet the requirements of a changing regulatory environment.  The significant improvements that have been made in the areas of water, wastewater, roads and sidewalks will serve the Town for years to come.

In addition, the Town continues to invest in building maintenance, increasing budget amounts in recent years to modernize buildings where possible and keep up with basic maintenance including boiler replacement, roof replacements, and HVAC improvements.  Recently the town completed an aggressive generator program, adding generators to key town facilities and sewer pump stations to ensure the Town stays operational during prolonged power outages.

The Capital Improvement Program for the Town is adopted each year by the Planning Board.  Funding recommendations are made by the Budget Recommendations Committee and ultimately recommended to the Town by the Select Board.  Capital improvements can be funded any one of three primary ways: through the budget, through a bond issue, or via a special warrant article.  Capital improvements are recommended for one of these three funding mechanisms given the scope and amount of the project or improvement.  A summary of some recently funded capital improvements are itemized below.  All projects are voter approved.

New Wastewater Facility and Main Pump Station (Completed 2020). 

This project replaced an outdated wastewater facility with a brand new treatment system.  Included in the replacement was an expansion of the wastewater Main Pump Station (MPS) located in Swasey Parkway.  This $53 million dollar project will allow the town to meet new EPA requirements for nitrogen discharge under the latest NPDES permit issued by the EPA.  The project also includes new forcemains extending from the Main Pump Station up Newfields Road, and a new public waterline to assist with fireflows at the new facility. For more information, Click Here.

Lincoln Street Utility and Roadway Improvements Phase 2 (Completed 2019)

This utility and paving project revitalized the Lincoln Street area. For more information, Click Here.
 

Water Street and Norris Brook/Swasey Parkway Culvert Replacements (2011-2012)

The Town recently replaced two culvert structures, one on Water Street and one in Swasey Parkway.  These culverts were deemed deficient and were both over 40 years old.  Construction was completed in late summer, 2012.  The project was approved at a special town meeting in July 2011 and has greatly improved traffic flow on Water Street due to a road redesign that has helped widen a stretch of Water Street.

Jady Hill Neighborhood Water/Sewer/Drainage Improvements (2012)

The Jady Hill area has been a major focus of water/sewer and drainage replacements and upgrades in 2011, 2012 and 2013.  The Town was experiencing major inflow and infiltration into its wastewater system from this neighborhood which was constructed in the 1950's and 1960's.  The problems were created by leaking pipes and sump pumps emptying directly into Town sewer lines.  This project was completed in 2013 and replaced old sewer lines, removed sump pumps from the Town sewer lines, and replaced aged water lines.  A program for homeowners was developed in conjunction with this project that allowed an affordable option for removing private inflow from the Town sewer system.  As a result, less wastewater in the form of clean groundwater will be entering the sewer system, resulting in fewer overloads of the Town's sewer system during wet weather events.  This is a major capital improvement for Exeter and will also help the Town meet new EPA orders regarding the elimination of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in Exeter. For more information, Click Here

Dan Healy Pool Upgrades 

Here in Exeter, the Dan Healy Pool provides relief during the hot summer months. The pool's filtration system has been in use for nearly 40 years and is need of replacement. The new filtration system will not only be smaller but it will also turn the pool water over more often to provide a cleaner environment for swimmers.  The Exeter Parks and Recreation Department continues to make upgrades to the pool including concession expansion, installation of water slides, a spray pad, and bathroom improvements.  All of these help modernize the facility, which has seen its attendance double in recent years. For more information on the pool, Click Here

Road Paving Program

Exeter's Highway Department along with contractor Bell & Flynn is responsible for the on going task of roadway maintenance. This process is ongoing and the Town carefully plans its paving program each year to prioritize roads for paving and reconstruction to maintain long-term stability of its transportation network. A well maintained and functioning road network allows for continuous commercial activity and for the daily lives of our citizens to go uninterrupted. The current level of investment in paving Town roads is $850,000 annually.  In recent years, the cost for paving has increased exponentially along with continued cost increases in raw materials such as petroleum.  The current Town paving contract is held by Bell and Flynn. For more information, Click Here

Water Street Sewer Interceptor Project

The Water Street Interceptor Project will help reduce CSOs (combined sewer overflows) into Clemson Lagoon by installing larger pipes within the sewage network to reduce stress and overflows. This will help reduce the need for CSOs under certain circumstances. Half of the project's funding is from ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) funds and is under construction as of September 2012.  By reducing CSO's, the Town achieves higher levels of compliance with a recent administrative order issued by the EPA. 

47 Front Street Roof Replacement

Replacing and repairing the copper and slate roof on the Exeter Historical Society Building is underway. Over the course of the last century, the roof has developed some leaks that increase the risk of structural damages to the building. The original slate roof was completed in the 1890's when the building was constructed.  The building is not only the home of Exeter's Historical Society but is also a Civil War Memorial. The current roof has reached the end of its useful life of over 100 years. To prevent issues with the roof from getting worse, the roof will have an extensive repair project to replace many of the slates and copper fixtures on the building. For more information, Click Here

Town Office HVAC Project

The Town Office building currently has a single loop heating system, that is over 4 decades old, and makes use of many window unit air conditioners to cool the building. The new HVAC system will not only make the Town Office Building more comfortable for citizens and employees but it will also reduce its utility costs by increasing efficiencies. The project was approved in 2012 and will be completed by late 2012 or early 2013.  The project will continue to modernize the Town Office building, in use since 1966, which has had few updates despite the obvious changing times. 

Raynes Farm Project 

The Raynes Farm property acts as a living link with Exeter's historic and agricultural past. Current maintenance projects are underway and future ones are planned to ensure that this piece of Exeter's past can be enjoyed by the Town for generations to come.  A project planned for 2013 is the replacement of the roof of the Raynes Barn, and related silo connector improvements.  The Town purchased the Raynes Farm property in the early 2000's as part of an effort to preserve the Town's agricultural heritage.  The property is located along Newfields Road, headed toward Newfields. For more information, see the Raynes Farm Stewardship Committee page

Other Projects

For more information on Exeter's Capital Improvement Projects, Click Here.