Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Road Maintenance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board discusses regional salt shortages and alternatives for winter maintenance
Summary
Board members flagged region-wide salt shortages affecting winter maintenance, discussed lead times, the corrosive effects of brine pretreatment, equipment requirements for alternatives, and possible regional coordination on salt usage policy.
Select Board members and staff discussed growing concerns about region-wide salt shortages that could affect road maintenance during the remainder of winter and into mud season.
A committee member noted that other towns are experimenting with alternative products and pretreatment (brine) and cautioned that some brine formulations had previously caused increased corrosion to vehicles. "It was extremely corrosive to cars, like, more so than regular salt," one member said, and members agreed equipment needs and public impacts would have to be evaluated before adopting new products.
Staff said existing salt supplies remain sufficient for now but that supply lead times and availability are uncertain; the group suggested the issue will likely require regional coordination rather than a town-only solution. No formal policy change was adopted at the meeting.
