Ossipee authorizes two-year salt contract at $85.80/ton; residents press for more paving

Selectmen authorized purchase authority for winter road salt under the state bid and heard public concern about unpaved town roads.

The board voted to authorize contracting with Eastern Minerals for salt at $85.80 per ton for the 2025–26 period, with a smaller standing order through Morton Salt as a secondary supplier. The motion to authorize the contract was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

In public input, resident Frank Burke asked why town crews graded only part of Osmond (Ossipee Mountain) Road and had not completed work farther up the dirt section. A public-works speaker said crews had addressed washboard areas and restored the crown in places, and noted that “to tear that whole road up makes no sense,” adding that applying calcium would be an unnecessary expense compared with routine grading. The speaker said driving the posted speed limit makes the road passable.

Selectmen also explained paving priorities, saying the town recently increased the paving allocation to $600,000 to maintain and improve existing paved roads before adding more miles. Board members said higher-traffic roads such as Duncan Lake Road would be prioritized over lower-traffic dirt roads such as Ossipee Mountain Road and that paving decisions involve balancing costs and available funds.

Why it matters: Authorizing the salt contract ensures the town’s supply for the winter season; the public comments highlight a continuing local debate about how the town selects roads for paving given limited resources.

Key details discussed or clarified in the meeting: - Contract price: Eastern Minerals — $85.80 per ton (state bid price quoted in the meeting). The board noted the town previously paid $79.90 per ton the prior year. - Quantities: The speaker said the town typically orders about 1,200 tons from Eastern Minerals and maintains a smaller 400-ton backup contract with Morton Salt. - Paving budget: Selectmen said the annual paving allocation was increased to $600,000 to keep up with rising costs and to maintain existing paved roads before adding new paved miles.

Quotes: "I'd just like to know, they went up and they, graded Osmond Road up on the dirt end only up towards past 1 house, and they didn't do the rest. Is there any reason?" — Frank Burke, Ossipee resident

"I drive up there in a 3 quarter ton pickup, you can drive at 35 miles an hour, they're gonna go fix the other side at the end when you come off the pavement there's some washboard there, but tear the whole road up and put $10,000 of calcium on it. It's not bad." — Public works staff member

"We increased the paving line to 600,000 and that's because of the added cost and we're maintaining, we're improving what we have to add additional paved roads." — Selectman (unnamed in transcript)

The salt authorization and paving discussion were both carried by voice vote; the transcript records no roll-call tallies.