Select board member Steven Osienski suggested fast tracking a five year road-maintenance plan to two years as a long term cost-saving measure.
Road Agent Gary Russell laid out a five year road-work plan for the board during a regular meeting Wednesday night.
Next year the department is planning to spend $60,000 on paving projects, which will be split between three projects, and will include work on North Bennington Road, Old Greenfield Road and Dodge Road.
The following year the department estimates it will spend between $50,000 and $60,000 to repair sections of Acre Road, Eaton Avenue and Pierce Hill. For the next three years, he said, the department plans to work on four additional roads.
Russell added that those costs could rise depending on rising costs of oil and material over time.
“It seems like the time to do it when the price of oil is low,” Osienski said.
To carry that out the board proposed keeping the budget flat, and requesting $60,000 through capital reserve funds, although that sum may be spilt into a $15,000 and a $45,000 account as a way to ensure they are able to retain at least some funding if the entire plan is not approved.
“We would stay on track with the plan, but we’re going to accelerate it,” Osienski said about road construction.
Russell said if that happens some quick fixes to some of the roads could be eliminated all together.
“We wouldn’t have to go back and re-do that other road,” Russell said, adding that could alleviate future costs.
The board said it will propose the plan to the budget committee.
Abby Kessler can be reached at 924-7172, ext. 234 or akessler@ledgertranscript.com.