Putnam School Board Signs Off On Monterey Trail Project

Monterey will move forward with a project to connect area schools to the town’s walking trail.

Town grant writer Dawn Kupferer said the Putnam County Board of Education signed off on the plan during last week’s meeting.

“They (board of education) gave us the approval to do some work on their property, which would include a boardwalk near that area that holds water next to Burks Elementary School and some sidewalks,” Kupferer said. “So now we will submit those plans to the Department of Health for their review.”

Monterey will fund the project with a $256,000 Project Diabetes Grant from the State Department of Health. Kupferer said the new sidewalk system will provide students a safer route to and from school.

“For years, we were unable to connect the elementary school to the library in Monterey. We’ve even had children injured while they were walking to the library on the railroad tracks,” Kupferer said. “Getting our children out of the street when they leave Burks Elementary School and to a safe walkway is key to this process.”

Kupferer said the city will begin working with the state to ensure the project doesn’t affect any wetlands or roadways. She said the bidding process for the project will likely take place in April.