The event is open to town officials, road groups and contractors.

FAYETTE – A workshop on treating gravel roads is set for 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, at Starling Hall on Route 17.

Included are presentations and viewing of demonstration sites on Echo Lake Road. Four treatment technologies will be presented: an organic liquid soil binder; dried granular asphalt; calcium chloride; and liquid asphalt penetration.

Town officials, private road groups and contractors are invited to attend.

Town Manager Jim Collins said if gravel roads are left unattended, they can erode soils and pollute nearby lakes and streams. Potholes, wash-boarding, dust and runoff drainage are among the frequent problems.

“Maintaining them in a timely manner is getting more time consuming and expensive,” said Collins. “This workshop is an excellent way to share information about costs and life cycle performance using low cost treatment methods.”

Demonstration sites will be prepared in advance of the workshop, said road foreman Randy Tibbetts.

Tentative dates for these are June 11 for dried granular asphalt method; June 16 for liquid asphalt penetration method; June 18 for calcium chloride method; and June 19 for organic liquid soil binder method.

Those wanting to view these operations as they take place may contact Tibbetts at 685-3391.

The workshop registration fee is $15 and includes lunch. Advanced registration is appreciated for planning meeting accommodations.

For more information and registration, contact those in the following districts: in Androscoggin Valley, Phoebe Hardesty at 753-9400; in Franklin, Rosetta Thompson at 778-4279; in Kennebec, Nate Sylvester at 622-7847.