Highway department cites fuel and material cost increases, says Jane Drive work will use asphalt fund

Road Agent Jeff Wuebbolt told the Board that most increases in his proposed 2027 highway budget stem from higher material and fuel costs. He presented line-specific changes: Asphalt Maintenance and Rehabilitation up 5%, Winter Salt costs (Morton Salt quote) up 5%, Sand up 4%, and Winter Maintenance & Repair increased by 13% to reflect higher carbide cutting-edge costs for plow blades purchased from Canada. Overall, Wuebbolt calculated a 2.56% increase in his budget.

Selectman Sue Young asked whether the Jane Drive work would be included; Wuebbolt confirmed the project will be paid from the Asphalt Maintenance & Rehabilitation fund. The Board discussed operational priorities in the highway budget but did not make a final funding decision at the session.