HARTFORD – Road Commissioner Alan McNeil, who’s striving to get paving work done before winter, told the Board of Selectmen Thursday night that Pratt Hill Road is ready to be paved.
He said he prefers doing that road instead of Town Farm Hill Road because construction of the bridge on Town Farm Hill would bring heavy truck traffic. He said he could also work on Stetson Road.
In the absence of board Chairman David Bowen, Selectman Lee Holman suggested McNeil bring estimates to the next meeting and the decision could be made with the whole board present. McNeil also submitted to the selectmen an updated spreadsheet of his work for the month.
Holman discussed brush mowing and the cost for maintenance with McNeil. McNeil said the mower was a high-maintenance machine. He said he had told the town before it bought the machinery that it would cost a lot to keep it in working condition.
Holman said residents had complained about the ragged roadsides in front of their homes. She also said the mower had left some trees literally hanging in the ditches. McNeil said the mower operator was going to take care of this with a chain saw.
Holman suggested residents might make signs indicating they don’t want mowing in front of their properties. McNeil said there would have to be some kind of a contract with the property owners that they would do the work. Otherwise, safety issues would arise where motorists might not have a clear view of the road.
Although the code enforcement officer was not present, he has suggested the town might want a disposal pit for road-kill animals. Selectman Hope McCabe said she didn’t think it was up to the town to dispose of animals.
In other business, Holman said tables and chairs that had been returned to the Town Hall after being used at a wedding were in bad condition, having been left out in the rain. Some chairs were also broken. The selectmen plan to develop a lending contract for residents who wish to borrow the furniture.
Dave Kraske, a member of the Road and Comprehensive Plan committees, said he had checked on Hartford’s ability to qualify for a Community Development Block Grant for the salt and sand shed. He said a low- to moderate-income survey showed Hartford had 40 percent of the population in this range, but the required percentage for a grant is 51 percent.
There will be a crime watch meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Town Hall. A representative from the Lowe’s home improvement store in Auburn will speak about lighting, locks and alarm systems. Hartford and Canton residents are invited to attend.
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