Highway Building Advisory Committee elects chair, advances preliminary plans for new garage

Selectman Jim Hoyt opened the Highway Building Advisory Committee meeting at 7 p.m. on April 9 and was nominated and approved as chair after a motion by Brett Walker and a second from William MacDuffie Jr. Chair Hoyt then moved to recommend Building Inspector Chuck Bodien’s appointment to the committee; Brett Walker seconded and the recommendation passed with no opposition.

The committee discussed whether the town could serve as its own general contractor for the highway garage. Chair Hoyt reported that TA Rollins had researched the question and cited written guidance from Town Attorney Laura Spector-Morgan that, if the town has someone with the required skill set, it can act as its own general contractor while still requiring individual contracts for subcontractors and the appropriate bonding for the project.

Road Agent William MacDuffie Jr. led technical discussion of the garage layout and equipment needs. He recommended two large bays and one small bay, saying 12-foot-wide bays would not accommodate plow trucks; he recommended 14-foot-wide bays as workable and 16-foot-wide bays for additional clearance. MacDuffie also said 12-foot door heights are too low and that 14-foot heights would be appropriate.

Committee members debated employee amenities and maintenance needs. Building Inspector Chuck Bodien said a public works facility typically requires a shower; the committee favored a single restroom with a separate shower area and discussed locker and break areas. On structural framing, Chair Hoyt suggested 2"x6" walls with 2"x8" in garage areas; Bodien recommended a 6-foot concrete frost wall along the garage perimeter.

Storage needs were a recurring theme. Brett Walker said expanded town duties — such as taking on cemetery work — would significantly increase storage needs; William MacDuffie Jr. favored keeping vehicle bays clear and using a separate storage room, while William MacDuffie Sr. proposed a lean-to or a larger pole-barn-style salt and sand shed (MacDuffie Sr. suggested roughly doubling current salt/sand capacity and proposed a 50' x 60' pole barn to ease deliveries).

Members also discussed fire protection and security. Bodien noted structures under 12,000 square feet often do not require sprinkler systems, but the town’s insurer recommended sprinklers; the group discussed alternatives including fire alarms, gypsum board and plywood backing. The committee generally preferred a pitched, wood-framed building using roof trusses.

Site, utilities and environmental constraints drew specific attention. Chair Hoyt said a 200-amp electrical service likely would be adequate; Brett Walker raised the potential expense of utility poles for a long driveway and recommended considering a backup generator. For truck washing, Hoyt said a wash bay is necessary but cautioned that wetlands rules may restrict outdoor wash bays and that runoff containment or a pre-treatment catch would be needed. For fuel, MacDuffie Jr. recommended a 1,000-gallon tank and said the town currently uses about 300 gallons per storm; Selectman David Kelly suggested the Fire Department could share the fuel resource.

On procurement and next steps, Chair Hoyt said the committee needs someone to draw plans and hoped to find up to $5,000 in the 2025 budget to pay for initial drawings. William MacDuffie Jr. proposed issuing a Request for Proposal for plans; Hoyt cautioned that an RFP might affect the town’s ability to be its own general contractor. Building Inspector Bodien said stamped floorplan, foundation and elevation plans will be required for prebuilt components. The committee scheduled a site walk for April 28 at 6 p.m., with a follow-up meeting at Academy Hall.

Chair Hoyt moved to adjourn at 8:12 p.m.; Brett Walker seconded and the meeting adjourned. Municipal Assistant Samantha Wasil prepared the minutes, which were approved at the April 28, 2025 meeting.