Town weighs options after mixed reviews of snow‑removal contractor

A council discussion at the Feb. 16 meeting centered on the town’s snow‑removal and cleaning contract and whether to retain the recent contractor, identified in meeting notes as Sean’s Lawns LLC (Sean Smith).

One council member said a recent invoice looked like roughly $1,350 for about 10 hours of work and described ongoing confusion over pricing communications. The board heard two pricing scenarios described in meeting remarks: about $150 per hour if the contractor uses town equipment, and roughly $850 per application if the contractor uses his own equipment and salt. Councillors said earlier messages and texts may have been misread, producing inconsistent expectations.

Members discussed drafting a short, nonexclusive independent‑contractor agreement for snow removal and cleaning that would specify payment terms and scope. They also discussed resale of town equipment (a tractor attachment) if the town chose to rely on contractors who provide their own machinery. Several members said some driveways around town had not been adequately cleared and suggested soliciting estimates, placing a public advertisement for snow‑removal bids during a nonwinter month, or consulting the county about road‑clearing contractors. One speaker said they were “disappointed” in recent performance; the transcript records that dissatisfaction but does not show a formal complaint or specifications for termination.

Board members concluded that, for now, the town would pay the contractor for recent work while the council weighs whether to seek multiple estimates and possibly change the arrangement later. The clerk reminded members that small‑purchase thresholds mean the town has discretion below statutory dollar thresholds (discussed in the meeting as roughly $25,000 to $50,000) and that formal procurement processes are required only for larger projects.