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Board approves purchase of 12 culverts to address spring failures
Summary
Faced with multiple culvert failures this spring, the Select Board approved purchasing 12 eighteen-inch culverts (discussion noted price variance between $371 and roughly $540 per unit) and discussed compaction equipment or rentals to improve installation longevity.
Select Board members reviewed recent culvert failures and discussed materials and lifespan tradeoffs between black and more rigid gray culvert products. Members estimated the town likely needs about 12 culverts for immediate repairs and debated spending more up front for a longer-lived gray product instead of cheaper black culverts that have failed in cold conditions.
The road commissioner and others noted different vendor pricing: one vendor quote (Ferguson’s) was discussed at a lower price, while the motion recorded an estimated per-unit price of roughly $540 when the board approved the purchase for 12 eighteen-inch culverts. Board members also recommended ensuring proper compaction—preferably with wet compaction or a plate compactor—and discussed renting an excavator as needed rather than buying heavy equipment outright.
The board voted to buy the culverts to allow spring repairs and authorized staff to pursue compaction equipment or rental options and to inventory current materials prior to installation.
