Government

FY26 paving plan, capital budget groundwork, Public Works staffing on October 7 agenda

The Select Board will lay groundwork for the upcoming budget cycle, award the contract to demolish the former salt and sand shed in the Upper Village and hear recommendations to address the shortage of Public Works staff at their meeting on Monday, October 7.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Meetinghouse and will be live-streamed at this link. Find the full agenda at this link.

Vehicle replacement schedules.  A key element of near- and long-term capital improvement budget planning involves Town vehicles: what’s due to be replaced, and when, and how much to deposit into reserve accounts for those purchases. The board is slated to review vehicle replacement schedules for Fire Rescue, Public Works and the Transfer Station at the October 7 meeting.  Find them in the meeting agenda packet at pp.37, 43-44.

Proposed paving/chip seal schedule.  Also with budgeting in mind, the board will consider Public Works’ proposed paving and chip seal plans for FY26.  Roads next up are the portion of Penney Road from Route 231 to the railroad tracks; Bald Hill Road from the Transfer Station to the town line; Snow Hill Road from Outlet Road to Sabbathday Road and Cobble Hill Road (off Chandler Mill Road).  

According to the schedule, Bald Hill Road, Penney Road and Cobble Hill Road would get chip seal; Snow Hill Road would see traditional asphalt.  The Transfer Station will also get a paving re-do if the board accepts the proposed plan as-is.  Find details, including costs estimates, at pp.41-42

Revised Purchasing Policy.  An updated Purchasing Policy is back at the board for review.  The policy specifies what value of purchase or service must undergo a competitive bid process ($15,000+), what requires multiple quotes ($10,000 to $14,999) and what can simply be purchased ($9,999 and less).  New provisions concern leasing and use of credit cards.  Find red-lined and clean versions of the policy at pp.46-54.

Recommendations for Public Works staff shortage.  With three open positions at Public Works and winter ahead, Manager Bill Kerbin is proposing to seek seasonal hires, draft Code Enforcement Officer Rick Haas to pitch in with plowing, as he’s apparently done in the past, and increase compensation to retain existing staff.  Find the Manager’s memo at p.45.

Salt and sand shed demolition.   Public Works Director Ted Shane is recommending bidder Almighty Waste be awarded the contract to demolish the former salt and sand shed in the Upper Village (p.40).  The firm’s $43,220 price exceeds the $40,000 budget, so the board will also consider how to close the gap.  A recap of the Town’s remaining ARPA funds is in the packet (pp.38-39).

Public comments may be submitted by email before 10 a.m. on Monday, September 7, to townmanager@newgloucester.com and smyers@newgloucester.com. If you want your written comment read aloud, please indicate that in the subject line.

Find contact information for Select Board members and links to meeting agendas, minutes and related documents at this link.

Joanne Cole