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Highway staff testing liquid magnesium chloride pretreatment as towns face salt shortages
Summary
Tinmouth highway staff described trials of liquid magnesium chloride and using an existing dust-control system to pretreat roads, citing potential salt savings and application-rate challenges. Board members discussed regional procurement and equipment set-up.
Highway staff told the Tinmouth Select Board they have started trying a liquid pretreatment (a magnesium chloride blend) after difficulty sourcing treated salt. S3 described calling a vendor and said the town can adapt its dust-control system with a different spray bar to apply the product: "I called Rick at Innovative, and he said they had material, and we could use our dust control system," S3 said.
The board heard about application challenges (nozzle clogging, figuring pump rates) and examples from neighboring towns. Members discussed coordinating with the regional TAC and the state to pursue larger or regional purchases; S2 said Bolton had stockpiled material and reported labor savings. The board asked staff to continue testing application rates and to report results at a future meeting.
