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Newbury officials flag looming Highway Garage and salt‑shed costs
Summary
Highway Foreman Mike Hastings and Treasurer Mary Collins told the Selectboard and Budget Advisory Committee that major capital needs — a prioritized salt shed and a new highway garage — outpace the town’s highway building reserve, prompting talks of shifting budgets and delaying some paving work.
Highway Foreman Mike Hastings and Town Treasurer Mary Collins told the Town of Newbury Selectboard and Budget Advisory Committee on Jan. 6 that the Highway Department faces "major capital and equipment needs," with a new salt shed identified as a priority and a new highway garage discussed as a longer‑term need.
Hastings and Collins presented line‑by‑line anticipated expenses for the Highway Department after Hastings arrived at 6:20 p.m. They said the highway building reserve fund will be insufficient to cover both projects and highlighted the rising cost of heavy machinery and trucks as a key pressure on future budgets. "Major capital and equipment needs are on the horizon for the Highway Department, with a new salt shed identified as a priority, as was a new Highway Garage," the meeting minutes state, attributing the presentation to the foreman and treasurer.
Committee members discussed timing and financing options but recorded no formal vote or decision at the hearing. The discussion set the projects as priorities for future budget planning and noted that additional funding sources or bonding would likely be required before either project could proceed.
