Highway committee advances sand-and-salt shed plans, recommends two warrant articles for 2026 Town Meeting

Chair Jim Hoyt opened the Highway Building Advisory Committee meeting on Nov. 12, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. and the committee approved the draft minutes from Oct. 16, 2025 by voice vote with none opposed. The committee spent most of the session advancing plans for a sand-and-salt shed and for access to the proposed property ahead of the 2026 Town Meeting.

‘‘The highway building would be a stretch to get bids for the 2026 Town Meeting,’’ Chair Jim Hoyt said, but he added that seeking bids for a sand-and-salt shed and for access to the property was reasonable for 2026. Brett Walker, a committee member, said ‘‘there was likely enough money in the highway equipment CRF to buy a loader, to load the sand and salt into the shed once completed,’’ but he cautioned about leaving a loader on-site without supervision. Hoyt said the town could install cameras and suggested adding a roof off the side of the shed to shelter the loader; no decision was reached on purchasing the loader or adding a roof.

Committee members discussed power to the site. Walker asked whether the utility would require a right-of-way easement over neighboring land or would follow the existing driveway. Hoyt said he had discussed the question with TA Rollins and that further talks with Unitil are needed to confirm the approach. Meeting participant Bill MacDuffie Sr. suggested local contractors (‘‘Reed or High Volt’’) might install the powerline work for less than Unitil, but the committee did not adopt any vendor or procurement plan during the meeting.

Hoyt asked Bill MacDuffie Jr. to obtain an estimate for constructing the access drive, and MacDuffie Jr. said the cost could change substantially depending on requirements for a Wetlands permit. Selectman Ex-Officio David Kelly said he had spoken with Cheryl Bentley, who provided a quote for one aspect of the permit process. Based on the discussion, Walker proposed two warrant articles for the 2026 Town Meeting: one to fund access and power to the property and a second to fund the sand-and-salt shed itself.

On design details for the shed, MacDuffie Sr. recommended removing concrete from the front pillars; Kevin O'Neil noted the committee previously discussed eliminating the pillar in the large bay. Hoyt said a structural engineer would need to determine whether the building would remain stable without the pillar. MacDuffie Sr. also proposed adding walls to create a smaller opening in place of the pillar. David Kelly asked how long bid preparation would take; Hoyt replied the town could set a due date and he did not expect bid preparation to be lengthy.

Members also discussed paving. Walker asked whether to pave when the shed is built or wait until the entire project is completed; MacDuffie Jr. said the area inside the shed and in front should be paved before storing salt, because of salt’s corrosive effects on unpaved surfaces. The committee tentatively scheduled its next meeting for Dec. 10; Chair Hoyt then moved to adjourn, Bill MacDuffie Jr. seconded, and the board adjourned at 7:25 p.m. The minutes include an administrative note that the committee was disbanded before approval of these meeting minutes on Jan. 21, 2026 by the Board of Selectmen.

Next steps identified at the meeting included obtaining: (1) an access-drive cost estimate that reflects Wetlands permitting requirements; (2) a power-access plan after further discussion with Unitil; (3) bids for the sand-and-salt shed; and (4) clarification of funding available in the highway equipment CRF for a potential loader.