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Paving cost surge drives largest increases in Pownal FY27 public‑works budget
Summary
Select Board reviewed a $646,754 FY27 Public Works request driven by a $62,100 jump in paving and rehab costs; Road Commissioner warned quotes for shim/overlay rose from about $60,000 to $190,000–$240,000, prompting prioritization of Hodsdon Road.
The Pownal Select Board reviewed a FY27 Public Works budget request of $646,754 on Feb. 9, with Select Board members and the Budget Committee focused on a sharp rise in paving and rehabilitation costs.
“Paving & Rehab saw the largest increase: Budget requested +$62,100 (+27%),” Road Commissioner Dan Libby told the Board, explaining that vendors now quote $190,000–$240,000 for work that cost roughly $60,000 last year. Libby recommended prioritizing Hodsdon Road, which he said is in worse condition than Allen Road, if only one road can be funded this year.
The presentation broke the department into several lines. Facilities requested $25,810 (down about 16%); winter‑roads was requested at $118,400 (+12%) to reflect higher salt, sand and deicer usage. Fleet and fuel lines were relatively flat, while road maintenance rose to $386,750 (+23%) primarily because of the paving estimate increases.
Board members pressed staff on options to contain costs. Libby said he will solicit multiple quotes and compare cooperative purchasing options (GPCOG vs. State of Maine pricing) and explore chip seal as a less expensive alternative, though he noted many towns have moved away from chip seal because it “has not held up well.” He also said the town will coordinate equipment rentals and seek opportunities to bill the State for patching state‑owned sections when appropriate.
The discussion left priority setting to the Road Commissioner and staff, who will return with vendor quotes and recommendations. The Board did not take a formal vote on the full Public Works appropriation at the Feb. 9 meeting.
Next steps: staff will collect vendor bids and present prioritized projects and cost options to the Board and Budget Committee for later meetings.
