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Public Works budget discussion focuses on dump truck operations, fuel and maintenance needs
Summary
Public Works director David Benton outlined salary lines for a full‑time director and existing workers, proposed $5,000 for dump truck driver coverage, a small fuel increase, garage repairs, and brush‑clearing and CIP road work priorities.
At the Jan. 26 Waterboro Budget Committee session, Public Works priorities received extended discussion: department salary lines, truck operations, fuel needs and garage repairs were reviewed but not voted on.
Chair (S4) summarized department salary lines and explained a seasonal laborer hire (30 hours/week for six months). "Since we just bought a dump truck, we picked it up yesterday," the chair said while explaining why the $5,000 driver line was included to cover occasional hauling and winter sand operations.
Public Works director David Benton (S5) described staffing options for operating the new truck, noting Nathan McCoy has a Class 2 license and the department could contract or use transfer station employees with Class B licenses when additional drivers are needed. Committee members discussed whether existing staff would receive extra pay for occasional truck duty or if the town would hire short‑term drivers.
Chair and DPW also discussed operational costs: an added $1,000 for fuel for the new dump truck; keeping garage roof repairs and replacing old salt shed doors; and deferring replacement of the salt shed floor after inspection. Brush‑clearing and other road maintenance items were noted as modest increases in the lines and flagged for CIP prioritization.
Why it matters: truck operations, staffing and maintenance lines drive ongoing costs for winter operations and road maintenance and influence whether the town must hire hourly drivers or pay overtime to current employees.
Next steps: The committee recorded the meeting for absent members and retained discussion for later budget deliberations; no formal motions or votes happened at this session.
