WEST PARIS – A study under way to consider restructuring the town’s highway department has drawn a 50-50 split in opinions among town officials.
The proposal would add general maintenance – such as mowing lawns and ball fields – and routine building maintenance to the highway crew’s responsibility.
It was suggested by board Chairman Jim Johnston, who felt it could save money, rather than putting these duties out to competitive bid as in the past.
“I’ve been curious for some time about things concerning town government,” said Johnston last week, “and have been especially concerned about the $300,000 every year we pay out for 30 miles of road. I feel there might be a creative way we could save money if we combine highway and maintenance, instead of contracting for mowing of lawns and ball fields and projects like painting and doing routine repairs on our town buildings.”
Agreeing with Johnston is Selectman Wayne Theofrastou who said, “I have been concerned about that, too. And I would like to see a job description written up to see how the highway department could take on the extra work, mostly to see if they have enough hours to handle the additional duties.”
But Selectman Bill Birney said, “I feel if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.”
He said many people he’s talked don’t want to see West Paris contract out the highway work, especially in the winter, and think that adding other duties would take away from crew’s time spent on upkeep of the roads. “I feel we’re doing the right thing now. I don’t feel changing would be in the best interest of the town.”
Town Manager Don Woodbury said: “I agree with Bill. Our crew does an admirable job, especially during the winter, and during the summer there is enough work to keep them busy. Also, vacations have to be considered, which means time with a smaller crew. How would this work when asking them to take on extra duties?”
After the close of the discussion, the selectman decided that the study will go forward in order to obtain comparisons between private contracts and continuing a full-time town highway crew with the same duties as in the past.
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