Road Maintenance Article Boosted

Voters at Amherst’s deliberative session showed their support for the town library and catching up on the maintenance on our roads.

An article to raise $100,000 for work on road sections not listed in the $15 million “Road Construction Bond” that was approved by voters in 2010 was increased to $200,000 Wednesday night.

Bill Overholt, chairman of the road commission, explained to voters in attendance that the town was very behind on maintenance spending for good roads.

He said that the town is currently spending about $650,000 a year on road maintenance, which is less than needed to prevent higher reconstruction costs in the future.

The Road Funding Analysis Committee recommended $1.1 million a year be spent to keep up road maintenance, according to their study in 2008.

DPW Director Bruce Berry has said that his department , which would prevent deterioration of the roads and further bonding to rebuild them.

Overholt explained that repaving a road only costs $65-130,000 per 2-lane mile, while rebuilding a similar length of road costs $300-800,000.

An amendment was proposed to increase road maintenance spending to $300,000, but this was voted down after a close vote. 

Liz Overholt proposed increasing the article to $200,000 to help Amherst DPW catch up on the roadwork. This amendment was supported by the public, Board of Selectmen and all but one ways and means committee member.

Voting will take place on Tuesday, March 13 at Souhegan Cooperative High School from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.