Newry needs new salt/sand shed plan

In preparation for the annual town meeting in March, Newry officials are researching options for a sand/salt shed for the town.

For as long as current town officials can remember, Newry has been getting its road sand and salt through a sharing arrangement with the Maine Department of Transportation shed on Route 2 in Bethel.

But MDOT has said that must end soon.

Newry would be allowed to continue with a modified arrangement for one more winter, according to Town Administrator Loretta Powers.

At a budget workshop Tuesday, selectmen decided to gather information on two options: building a new shed, or sharing one owned by Sunday River Ski Resort.

CEO Dave Bonney has done preliminary research on building a shed. He estimated the town would have to pay at least $150,000, but more likely the cost would be closer to $250,000.

Because Newry does not own much land, the officials said, a shed would likely have to be located on the same lot as the town office.

An alternative to building a shed, said Powers, would be to share one located at Sunday River.

Powers said Skiway management has expressed a willingness to discuss the idea, and she will contact them for further information.

In either case, town officials said, a bucketloader (or access to one) would also be required, to load the material into trucks.

The board asked Bonney to compile specific information on costs of a building and a new bucketloader, for the next regular board meeting Monday.

Road maintenance bids in the future?

Selectmen also said they expect citizens at town meeting to raise the question of seeking bids from contractors to maintain Newry roads in the future.

For about 20 years the town has contracted with D.A. Wilson &Co. Powers, who has worked for the town for 14 years, said she did not recall a bid process during that time.

The board said tentatively they will propose raising $125,000 for maintenance by Wilson again this year, but would seek bids for multiple years thereafter, if townspeople wish.

Selectmen also discussed maintenance costs for the town office. Powers said the carpeting and bathroom flooring are aging, and the sign on the outside of the building needs repainting. The officials plan to get estimates before making any recommendations.

The board also tentatively approved a Fire Department budget up by about $2,000 from the current one, due mostly to the cost of new members and training.

Selectmen also determined that board Chair Jim Largess will be up for re-election this year.