Board: Minot selectmen

Met: Monday night

Minot/Buckfield Road District

The issue: The cost and benefits of combining the Minot and Buckfield road crews under the direction of Minot’s road manager Arlan Saunders

The scoop: Selectmen reviewed estimates of what to charge Buckfield for Saunders’ services, based on Saunders working in Buckfield 40 percent of the time, and Saunders’ use of a Minot town truck. They also worked on a plan for how the two towns would bill for the use of each other’s road equipment and crews.

Up next: At their Aug. 11 meeting, selectmen will discuss holding a public hearing on the proposal to share a road department with Buckfield.

Brighton Hill Acres

The issue: Developer Gary McFarland’s request for building permits to construct houses in the Brighton Hill Acres subdivision

The scoop: Selectmen approved Pleasant Drive, the road serving Brighton Hill Acres, on the recommendations of road manager Arlan Saunders and Summit Geoengineering Services Michael Walsh’s certification that the road meets the town’s minimum street requirements. Selectmen directed that the code enforcement officer be informed that building permits now be issued for subdivision lots.

Up next: While approved by selectmen, Pleasant Drive must still go before town meeting voters to be accepted as a town road. Until then McFarland is responsible for its upkeep.

Village Woods Estates

The scoop: After reviewing Lloyd Poland’s plans for his roads serving Village Woods Estates with Saunders and Walsh, selectmen approved the plans for Grand Trunk and Village Woods roads as meeting town standards.

Up next: While plans for the roads have been approved, Poland must still secure planning board approval for the 13-lot subdivision itself.

Road Report

The scoop: Road manager Arlan Saunders reported that the town grader, under repair at Nortrax, should be fixed this week and he anticipates the bill will be about $4,700. Saunders also has ordered the steel roofing and lumber for the addition on the town garage to house the filtration system for the well serving the Minot Consolidated School. Saunders noted that recent rains have delayed the start of roadside mowing operations but expects them to begin soon.

Winter sand bid

The scoop: Selectmen awarded the contract to supply the town with road sand this winter to Peter Hemond Excavating for $2.75 per cubic yard, screened and loaded in the pit.