Transfer Fund for Road Improvements Passed with Comments from Taxpayers

A unanimous vote to approve a $160,000 transfer of funds from the town’s undesignated fund balance to pay for road improvements was met with some concerns from taxpayers. 

During Wednesday’s Special Town Meeting Jeff Shea, town employee and Project Administrator, gave a short presentation showing a summary by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., (VHB), the Pavement Engineering & Asset Management firm that performed a survey on the road conditions. The presentation addressed exactly what kind of repairs would be realistic for the $160,000 expenditure. 

“We’ve got a leftover surplus from the Board of Selectman’s 2010-2011 budget and that’s because if we don’t need it we don’t spend it,” said Robert Skinner Chief Administrative Officer.  “The undesignated fund balance is in good shape. We’re anticipating a $450,000 payment from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for the 2008 Cannon Property open space purchase. That will bring the balance to a comfortable 11 percent of its budget.”

The Pavement Management Study was originally presented to the town in January 2011 and the resulting Pavement Management Program shows what methodology was used in measuring road conditions. 

“A Pavement Condition Index measures distinctive qualities of road surfaces and bases specific recommendations needed for various levels of conditions found. A PCI index of 80 is an ideal road condition,” said Shea. “The goal of establishing an action plan is to catch the road before it’s too far gone." 

The list of town roads recommended for repair was shown but was difficult to read off the screen. “Which roads exactly are on the list, and when will the money be deposited for repair?“ asked Ben Holden.

“A series of streets will be sealed,” said Skinner as he read off several streets: Hanson Road, Overlook Drive, Sunset Terrace, Village Lane, Morgan Road, Rockledge Lane, W. Mountain Road, and Forrest Lane to name a few.

“Will there be ongoing status updates on the town web site letting us know where the money is going, and which roads are getting what kind of repairs - chip seal repair or skim coat?” asked Alan Walker.  “We don’t want band-aiding the roads. It’s still taxpayer money and we ought to have some kind of elected official accountability.”

Skinner acknowledged the need for updates and answered that each road would be treated according to its PCI index. “They’re all different and while it would be nice to have all new road materials as in the most recent Dyer Avenue repair that would be cost prohibitive.”

“Will the money allocated to this project be used only for this project, and will the work be done this fiscal year?” asked Lowell Humphrey.

Skinner said that while he couldn’t guarantee every road will be done this fiscal year, but one by one, they will get done. He emphasized that $160,000 will cover about ten miles of repair work, and that the work should be viewed as both maintenance and preventative measures. In the long term taking action now is a cost savings against future deterioration that would actually wind up costing more 'down the road'.