Highway committee recommends Selectboard draft construction plans after garage redesign

Chair Jim Hoyt opened the Highway Building Advisory Committee meeting at 7:00 p.m. and the group voted to recommend that the Selectboard draft full construction plans for the town’s highway garage.

The recommendation followed an architect’s redesign that moved the three bay doors to the garage’s shorter 60-foot side and added a drive‑thru bay adjacent to the mezzanine. Hoyt said the change reduced roof massing and positioned bay doors so they will not be blocked by snow from the roof. "The building would have a gable on the short side and a gable from the office corner to the opposite side of the drive thru bay on the long side," Hoyt said.

Committee member Brett Walker said the redesign removed a need for an extra interior support and reduced the truss span from the roughly 80 feet previously discussed to about 62 feet. "The Architect solved the biggest weakness the rough plans had, which was the trusses," Walker said. The group also agreed the concrete slab can be sloped from the drive‑thru bay to the short side.

Members discussed equipment clearances and internal storage. William MacDuffie Jr. told the committee the grader fits in a 40‑foot space and that some town roads cannot accommodate 10‑wheel trucks, so the town will likely use 6‑wheel trucks; he also noted plow wings will occupy some shelving area. The plan originally called for 14‑foot doors and ceiling; the committee concluded the ceiling should be increased to 16 feet to accommodate door height.

Brett Walker moved and Selectman Ex‑Officio David Kelly seconded a recommendation that the Selectboard draft construction plans incorporating the architect’s fixes; the motion passed unopposed. Hoyt said once construction plans are prepared, the town can advertise bids for all aspects of the build.

Next steps: the committee will reconvene when construction plans are ready. No formal cost estimates or bid decisions were recorded during the meeting.