Highway Department - 2013 annual Town report

Fall Cleanup-

Starting in September the department rents a screening plant and screens sand and stone from the Town pit in East Templeton. The screening process takes about one month to complete and then the

department hauls a large portion of the sand to the Highway Department to prepare for the winter months. By

screening our own sand the department produces enough sand to normally last 3 years. In November the

department prepares the trucks and equipment for the Snow & Ice season and completes the cleaning and repairing of catch basins. Tree/brush removal and stump grinding is also done at this time.

Snow and Ice-

The first plowing and sanding operation began on November 8th. Numerous snow storms throughout January, February and March kept the department extremely busy. Besides the removal of snow from the roadways the Highway Department also clears snow from the sidewalks after a storm.

Over 1,000 tons of salt and approximately 3,000 tons of sand were used this winter season.

SNOW & ICE ACCOUNT

Beginning Balance $125,000.00 Salt/Sand	Chains/Plows/Blades	Fuel	Repairs	Payroll	Overtime	Double Time	Spent	Balance
$64,937.08	$7,035.86	$27,743.27	$3,430.46	$10,077.86	$41,039.18	$16,724.05	$170,987.76	($45,987.76)

Spring Cleanup:

Spring Cleanup began in early March. The largest of the projects is the sweeping of sand from sidewalks and roadways which takes several weeks/months to complete. Throughout the winter and especially in the spring you will see the crew filling potholes with Cold Patch which cost close to $11,000.00 this season. The cleaning of catch basins is another large undertaking which takes most of the spring and summer to finish. Starting in June the department began the task of repairing and/or replacing damaged catch basins along with the repainting of crosswalks through the Town. During the summer months the department performs roadside mowing.

Equipment:

New or used equipment obtained during the 2013 fiscal year:

Used-2002 International Bucket Truck-donated by Templeton Light $ 0.00

Used-2002 Chevy Prism-Donated by Templeton Sewer $ 0.00

Grant received-

The Highway Department benefited by receiving a grant from the Town’s insurance company (MIIA) in the amount of $5,000.00 to purchase a Work Zone Trailer fully stocked with safety equipment (cones, barrels, vests, etc.), the Town’s expense was $720.00.