MINOT – Problems still persist with roads under construction in two new subdivisions, Road Manager Arlan Saunders told selectmen this week.
“Developers of the Center Minot Heights subdivision said they would send a memo” stating Highland Drive meets state Department of Transportation criteria for the content of the asphalt, Saunders said.
Tests that Saunders had Summit Engineering perform also indicated Highland Drive’s final pavement coat lacked sufficient density and that there was some organic contaminate between the base and top coat.
Saunders said there is some question whether the town’s road ordinance oversimplifies some of the complexities in DOT requirements, hence the developer’s challenge to the results.
Saunders also said that the developers of Fortin Drive, located off the end of Jackass Annie Road, have completed paving for phase two of the subdivision but that there is still a fair amount of work that needs to be done before that section should be accepted by the town.
The town’s winter road budget, Saunders reported, remains in good shape despite early demands placed on the road crew.
“The storms may not have looked like much, but early morning roads have been slick, causing accidents,” said Saunders noting that in a normal winter, he expects 15 to 18 snow/ice events and that already the town has had five.
Fire Chief Steve French said that for a charge of $7 on their credit cards, residents can obtain a burn permit from the state. Or, provided the property owner can catch up with him or someone else at the fire station, the Minot Fire Department will issue one for free.
In other business, selectmen voted to accept a contract with Northern Data Systems for a new series of software products, conditioned upon approval at March’s town meeting. Selectmen also signed an application for a Recreation Trails grant stipulating that the town guarantees public access to the trail system for at least 10 years.
Town Clerk Nikki Verrill announced that nomination papers for two seats on the School Committee and two selectmen seats will be available at the Town Office beginning Thursday. Candidates will have until Jan. 17 to file papers in order to be candidates for the March town election.
Selectmen met with residents Statia Ackerman and Pam Snowe to hear a request that the town donate $1,500 to the Minot Enrichment Program.
This program has run in the summers, serving Minot children using school facilities. The two said that they were applying for nonprofit status and would like the money to help pay for buses to take the children on field trips.
Selectmen agreed to include the request on the March town meeting warrant.
The board also agreed to hold a budget meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 21 in the Town Office to go over budgets for the Highway Department, Fire Department and Town Office accounts in preparation for the budget request to go to town meeting.
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