Highway superintendent reports new hire, equipment repairs and expanded dry-hydrant coverage

Highway Superintendent Don Cook reported on May 13 that a new employee, Brad Greene, has started with the department and that several pieces of highway equipment were under repair: an electrical issue with P12 (dump truck) at the dealer; an engine block oil leak repaired on P22 dozer; a loader (P5) returned to dealer for warranty work (a loaner to be used); a flat tire on P6; new tires for P9; and a muffler replacement on P4 (Mack). Don Cook noted parts are often hard to find and expensive.

Don Cook also described recent roadwork: receipt and installation of culverts, a washout repair on Gardner Road caused by beaver flooding, and stockpiling of blacktop millings as cheaper surfacing material. The department installed a fourth dry hydrant on a pond at Waterman Road and plans additional dry hydrants at Cronk Road, Bernard Love roadside pond and a farm pond on Pinckney Road; once completed the four planned additional sites will bring the network to six hydrants intended to cover the town.

Cook said there is currently no communication with the county about a snow-plowing contract. He reported the state budget has passed but the town expects its CHIPS letter in about 10 days; he plans to submit for full CHIPS and Extreme Winter Recovery amounts in the upcoming submission due Thursday, targeting deposit of funds to the highway account in early June.