JAY — Polycor New England has asked the town to not post a section of Old Jay Hill and Woodman Hill roads during mud season, and in return the company would compensate the town for upkeep of the roads.
Selectmen discussed the proposal Monday night. The residents of Jay would have to vote on the proposal at the annual Town Meeting referendum on April 23.
Polycor owns and operates a granite quarry located off Woodman Hill Road in North Jay.
In 2015, the town received a Northern Borders Grant to reconstruct 2,200 feet of the road along Old Jay Hill Road to support the transportation needs of heavy trucks and equipment, according to Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere.
The section of the road that was rebuilt started at the intersection of state routes 4 and 17, and went 2,200 feet to the location of the anticipated access road to the quarry, she said.
Because the road was rebuilt to accommodate heavy loads, it is not currently posted during the spring.
Polycor did not end up installing its access road at the location originally proposed. Instead, they have continued to use the access point on Woodman Hill Road and secured rights to keep its entrance there permanently.
A representative from Polycor approached the town recently with a proposal to provide funds to the town for the upkeep of a portion of Woodman Hill and Old Jay Hill roads, with the request that the board not post the agreed upon sections of the roads.
“By not posting the road, Polycor would be able to remove material from the quarry on a year-round basis without concerns about road postings,” LaFreniere said.
Public Works Director John Johnson said it has been done before. He noted that the when the solar array went in behind houses off state Route 4 on Jay Hill, they paid the town money about $15,000 not to post the road and the money would cover paving of the road.
Roads are posted for about six weeks during mud season.
Polycor’s proposal would be for a set annual amount rather than a bond, LaFreniere said.
The company’s proposal is based on an estimated cost of about $295,000 to pave from state Route 4, at the top of Jay Hill, to just past the Polycor entrance on Woodman Hill Road, which is about 1.4 miles.
Polycor is proposing to cover half the cost of that paving, about $150,000.
They would provide $50,000 to the town in 2024, and then $25,000 annually from 2025 through 2028 to equal the full $150,000.
In addition, Polycor is proposing to continue providing $25,000 annually to the town as it operates, with one additional year paid after its last year of operation, LaFreniere said.
The company has indicated that there are no plans to close the quarry but proposed the added one year to make sure a final payment is made, she said.
Selectman Gary McGrane suggested they get a legal review for a warrant article to put before voters. LaFreniere had planned to do that if the board was interested.
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