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Public Works presses for fleet wash facility and outlines River Road relocation plans
Summary
Public Works told the Lewiston Planning Board on Jan. 22 that a municipal fleet wash facility would reduce corrosion-driven maintenance costs and that the city is phasing a move of operations from Adams Avenue to a new River Road complex.
Public Works officials on Jan. 22 urged the Planning Board to prioritize a municipal fleet wash facility and described a multi-year plan to relocate operations from Adams Avenue to a new River Road site, upgrade garage and fueling infrastructure and address utility and pavement needs.
Why it matters: fleet corrosion from road salt is driving frequent repairs; staff argued a wash facility would produce measurable maintenance savings and extend vehicle lives, potentially offsetting construction costs.
Public Works overview: staff said the department comprises eight divisions and touches nearly every resident and business through roads, utilities, stormwater and facilities. Director-level staff described priorities including utilities (cast-iron water mains, collection system separation, stormwater repairs), streetscape and paving sequencing to avoid repaving over failing subsurface utilities, and aging streetlight poles and switch gear.
Fleet wash facility: Public Works explained that a dedicated wash facility would allow underbody and heavy-fleet cleaning that current spaces cannot handle. Phil Grianza, fleet superintendent, said rusted bolts, brake valves and exhaust components are recurring problems; he estimated annual corrosion-related replacement costs at roughly $80,000 to $100,000 and noted diesel particulate filter replacement costs of about $12,000 for smaller trucks and $20,000 for larger trucks. Staff estimated that a wash facility would cut recurring maintenance and extend service life for newer vehicles. City Engineer Jeff Foley said the project was in preliminary design with a goal to complete design this year and advertise for construction in winter 2025 and build in 2026.
River Road operations and fuel island: Staff described a master plan for moving the municipal garage and operations to River Road. The new operation center has a sand/salt shed, garages and a fuel island; staff said the underground tanks must be removed from the Adams Avenue site and the new fueling island at River Road is already installed and will be rolled out for use. Public Works requested continued LCIP funding for a vehicle wash facility, a new municipal garage and other site improvements; staff also noted the wash facility request had been made in prior years and that the department was trying to reduce fleet downtime.
Vehicle replacement and maintenance sequencing: Board members asked whether vehicle purchases could be delayed until the wash facility is built to protect new equipment. Public Works staff said they already prioritize replacements yearly and would identify vehicles that can safely wait another 12 months versus those that need immediate replacement. Deputy Director Megan Bates noted recreational and senior transportation needs when explaining a request for a 14-passenger van; staff said the municipal garage would own vehicles and lease them to departments.
Other items: staff addressed sidewalk mapping and ratings, ADA continuity, Franklin Pasture tennis courts and a proposed 10-foot security fence with gated access during programmed hours, and the municipal garage roof replacement question tied to timing of a full relocation.
Ending: Public Works asked the board to consider the wash facility and certain life-safety and utility projects as priorities. Staff asked board members to send any follow-up questions in writing so staff could provide additional details ahead of the board's final LCIP recommendation.
