SUMNER – Selectmen revised the proposed plan for next year’s road work at their meeting Tuesday, but the amount they’re asking voters to budget for road improvements remains the same.
Selectmen and Road Commissioner James Keach had to rework their road plan because the lowest quote for improvements to Gammon Road was $15,000 higher than estimated. Selectmen were able to adjust for the higher costs somewhat by eliminating $8,000 worth of work to gravel roads from the plan.
Another $5,000 was cut after a project planned for next year was finished during this year’s budget. Keach told selectmen he changed the slope of Hadley Road recently for about $4,000. The project had been a part of next year’s plan, at an estimated cost of $5,000. The intersection of Hadley Road and Route 219 was reshaped in response to complaints from a resident.
The tentative plan for road work in 2006 is now estimated to cost $132,000, but selectmen will ask for $130,000 at August’s town meeting, as planned. A list of planned road improvements will be included in the town report.
Selectmen chose not to ask residents to vote on a proposed Adult Business Ordinance at this year’s town meeting. Although Selectman Thomas Standard has drawn up a draft of an ordinance based on similar ones from other towns, there isn’t time to have the draft reviewed by the Planning Board and presented to the town at a public hearing. Instead, a draft of the ordinance will be distributed at this year’s town meeting, and will be voted upon next year.
In other business, Standard reported that a meeting held with Buckfield selectmen last week to discuss plans for the transfer station was “effective.” Buckfield Town Manager Glen Holmes had proposed a plan to add bathroom facilities to the transfer station, but the plan needed to be approved by selectmen from both towns.
Sumner selectmen felt that the plan was too expensive, and asked Holmes to draft a long-range plan for the transfer station, which he agreed to do. The plan will include a swap shop and restroom. Holmes is also looking into possible directions for the transfer station to expand as it nears capacity.
Selectman Mark Silber said funds for a restroom will be included in the amount requested for the transfer station at the town meeting. Even if voters approve the funds, though, Sumner selectmen don’t plan to approve the project until it’s part of a long-range plan.
Buckfield voters appropriated their share of funds for the project at their town meeting this month.
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