Road paving, striping and sidewalks draw CIP attention; committee weighs equipment purchase vs. recurring contracts

CIP road projects and sidewalk priorities were a major focus of the Budget Committee’s Jan. 26 discussion. Public Works identified projects including two thousand feet of work on Middle Road (drainage and paving), an overlay along Chadbourne Ridge, and approximately 1,600 ft of base paving on a dirt section of Ossipee Hill.

Committee members raised concerns about the durability of current striping paint. Public Works (S5) said the state’s paint has not lasted and that shifting to a better grade will cost more: "We're going to work in a better quality paint that will last a little longer." The budget currently includes about $12,500 for striping (line referenced in the meeting), and members suggested some of the roads and bridges funds could be used for striping if necessary.

The committee discussed sidewalks in South Waterborough, where about two miles of sidewalks are in disrepair, and whether to add a $50,000 placeholder to begin work. Old Alfred Road was flagged as a separate, more complicated project because curbing, drainage and possible cement sidewalks were discussed in relation to DoD project proposals and state recommendations.

Snow and sidewalk winter maintenance also featured in the discussion. Committee members noted a $5,000 contract for maintaining a four‑tenths‑mile active sidewalk used by students, and weighed the costs of contracting winter sidewalk clearing versus buying a multi‑purpose unit (blower with attachments) that could cost in the range of $100,000 but be useful year‑round.

Why it matters: These CIP and maintenance choices affect town mobility, student safety, recurring operating costs and capital priorities.

Next steps: The committee requested further estimates (e.g., white‑stripe cost per road mile) and will revisit funding and scope as part of continuing budget deliberations; no final approvals were made at the recorded meeting.