WEST PARIS – Work on a plan for future highway maintenance is moving along well, and some preliminary costs and ideas are beginning to surface, Town Manager Donald Woodbury explained last week.
Woodbury said he and Road Commissioner Bill Keach are beginning to accumulate data on average costs of everyday maintenance issues, and are considering ways to better control costs.
“We are looking at general maintenance issues needed on our roads,” said Woodbury, “including ditching, maintaining culverts, improving grades and pavements so we can look at overall road costs for the town.”
Reporting to the selectmen, Woodbury said he and Keach have estimated the cost for winter road maintenance, based on the winter of 2004-2005, and have come up with an average of about $2,300 per mile for the 35 miles of road the town is responsible for.
“In coming up with that figure we considered the cost of fuel, sand, salt and wages. Of course the figure may change somewhat with further study, but what we have estimated so far should be very close,” he said.
As for summer road maintenance, figures will be available when the season ends later this year, and Woodbury will be incorporating the new figures with those gained to date to get an average for the year.
The study now under way was suggested earlier this summer by board Chairman Jim Johnston and supported by unanimous vote of colleagues Bill Birney and Wayne Theofrastou.
Woodbury also reported that the 2005 taxes are coming very well with about 70 percent being paid during the discount period that ended last week.
“Out of the $1,060,922 we need to collect, we have received $689,670.31 at this point, which is a very good start. I’m sure this will slow down somewhat now that the discount period has ended and there will be a rush before the delinquent tax list is set for the town report for the March town meeting.” Woodbury said.
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