Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Roads Potholes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Olean aldermen push for bigger fix on Front Street, ask staff to study CHIPS eligibility and hot-box repair equipment
Summary
Committee members called Front Street among the city's worst roads and asked staff to check CHIPS eligibility, present the street-grading methodology in May and research hot-box options to improve cold-weather pothole repairs.
Aldermen at the March 4 City Operations meeting described Front Street and Seneca Avenue as two of the city’s worst-maintained streets and asked staff to pursue both short-term fixes and long-term repair eligibility under state funding programs.
"Front Street is a complete disaster," said an alderman, noting heavy daily traffic. Officials discussed options beyond cold patching, including milling and repaving and eligibility for CHIPS (Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program) funds. "One thing with CHIPS funds ... you can only do it every summer years," said Bill (DPW director), and staff agreed to have Dan Granley look into CHIPS eligibility for Front Street.
The committee asked for a short presentation on the street-grading process so members can better understand how streets are scored and prioritized. Alderman Sonia and others asked staff to explain how the grading metric is calculated (what inputs such as pothole counts or driver complaints mean for a street’s grade). Staff agreed to provide that "nuts-and-bolts" presentation at the May 6 City Operations meeting.
Members also advocated buying or finding a used hot-box (a portable asphalt reheating/patching unit) to make cold-weather repairs more durable. Dave recommended a hot-box, saying cold patching does not hold in current weather and a hot-box would "stay there" after rolling. Staff said they will research cost and availability, including used equipment available from counties or state surplus.
The committee discussed coordination with engineering on the 2025-26 street program; staff said they are completing street-condition reports and building the 2025-26 program.
No capital purchase was authorized at the March 4 meeting; members requested staff research CHIPS eligibility, present the grading methodology at the May 6 meeting, and report back on hot-box cost and procurement options.
