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Select Board approves winter plowing contract template and water-tanker transfer to highway department
Summary
The board approved a winter-contract template with stipend language to attract contractors, and approved converting a fire tanker into a town water truck (estimated $5,000 conversion). Rates and stipend mirror neighboring towns; the board instructed staff to post contractor agreements.
The Select Board approved the proposed template for highway winter contractor agreements and authorized staff to proceed with posting individual contractor contracts using the agreed hourly rates and a seasonal stipend.
Frank Pocopin, the highway agent, outlined rates similar to neighboring towns and a stipend intended to keep local contractors available: a 5‑hour weekly or 10‑hour biweekly stipend running Dec. 1–Apr. 1 to offset slow hours and attract drivers. The proposal anticipates roughly 200 billable hours for the season, though last year averaged about 150; Pocopin said the stipend and higher 6‑wheeler rates (proposed $135 for fully equipped 6‑wheelers) would help recruit larger trucks.
After board discussion on competitiveness, gear/cutting-edge policies and vendor preferences, the board moved and approved the highway winter contract agreement template so staff can finalize and distribute individual contracts to interested drivers and firms.
Separately the board approved converting a fire-department tanker into a town water truck to support dust control on dirt roads. The conversion was estimated at $5,000 and will be funded by selling the old broken tanker; the board also approved temporarily winterizing and storing the converted truck to avoid further damage.
Board members asked staff to post the contract template and return with individual contractor agreements for final signatures.
