Wayne board approves one-year snowplow contract extension, adjusts budget to cover $67,000 increase

The Town of Wayne Select Board on June 2 voted to extend the expired winter maintenance contract with the incumbent contractor for one year at a total price of $272,779, and immediately amended the draft town budget to offset most of the additional cost.

The board’s motion, which passed 4-0, sets the combined sand-and-plowing price at $272,779 (broken out at $47,575 for sand and $225,204 for plowing) and requires payments on or before the 15th of each month during November through April. The amendment also directs that winter salt be delivered by Sept. 15 and sand by Oct. 15.

The contract extension followed an extensive discussion after staff reported the town failed to exercise a contractual fifth-year option exactly as written (a certified-mail notice required before May 1 was sent by regular mail). The contractor, identified in the meeting as Mark, proposed five changes to resume services: the new combined price, a 25% payment upon signing, monthly payment timing, guaranteed salt delivery dates, and a 24-hour obligation to repair certain road defects. Board members generally supported the overall price but rejected a 25% upfront payment and questioned the feasibility of a 24-hour repair requirement.

“I'm personally willing to vote yes on $272,779 for the simple reason that it is in the best interest of the town,” a select board member said during debate, while others expressed concern about large advance payments and short repair windows. The contractor agreed to accept a revised set of terms that removed the 25% signing payment and clarified payment timing and delivery dates.

Because the approved price is about $67,000 higher than the amount currently budgeted for winter maintenance, the board turned to the warrant and budget. After discussing options—tapping unexpended maintenance balances, adding a warrant article, or reducing capital reserves—the board voted to increase the roads operating line by $50,000 and reduce the road reconstruction capital reserve by $50,000. The board directed staff to find the remaining roughly $17,000 within the roads budget by trimming line items such as brush and tree removal, patching and crack sealing.

Town manager Shannon confirmed staff will update the warrant language and article totals before the town meeting; the select board noted the budget committee had not yet taken a formal vote on the capital-reserve adjustment and that committee recommendation may appear blank on the warrant pending further action.

Next steps: staff will prepare a contract amendment reflecting the agreed terms and submit revised warrant language showing the updated Article 23 (roads) and Article 33 (road reconstruction/paving) totals for the annual town meeting. The board and staff also discussed options to seek budget committee input via a special meeting if timing requires it.