Highway crew flags truck repairs, heavy salt use and $35,000 material estimate for Garen Road

Highway personnel reported that a backhaul truck needs rear-end repairs after oil-sample testing indicated component failure; the vendor has warranty coverage for most repairs but the town must bear transportation costs to the repair facility. Members were asked to expect the truck to be out of service for an uncertain period while parts and bays become available.

The board also discussed heavy salt usage on town roads this winter — roughly 30 tons already used at about $98 a ton — and a material-only estimate for Garen Road work of approximately $35,000 for about 3,000 feet (0.6 mile). A shorter discussion addressed buying an additional chainsaw for routine debris removal; crew members said a modest commercial saw (about $600) would ease small-storm cleanup.

"There's something coming apart in the rear end... it's our expense to move it, but everything's covered under warranty mostly," a highway representative said when describing the truck's status. Board members asked highway staff to track parts timing, explore grant opportunities for guardrails and safety projects, and plan the Garen Road scope for next year's budget cycle.