Highway trucks to be evaluated

Selectmen instruct surveyor to be ready for winter

By Jonathan Cook

Turley Publications Reporter

WARREN – At Tuesday night’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting, the board instructed Highway Surveyor Tom Boudreau to prepare the trucks for winter, among other items discussed.

Boudreau was not aware of the subject of his visit to the meeting. At first Chairman Bob Downing said Boudreau was there to discuss his materials contract, or winter sand, which was awarded to Fountain and Sons.

However, Boudreau said, “that’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

In fact, Downing was informed that Boudreau was not aware of that contract.

Then Boudreau was given the floor and he said, “I understand that there was some discussion on Hines Avenue that you needed some further information.”

The board had instructed Boudreau to remove the berm on that road, but Boudreau informed the board that removal would damage the road.

However, Boudreau found that out when he removed a four-foot section, which did cause damage, but settled a dispute over flooding that was caused by that section.

Selectman David Delanski said, that was all well and fine, but “I think the only reason that we asked you to come in Tom, is we really don’t want to have to go over the same subject three or four times when it comes before the board.

“It seems like we spend a lot of time on some things that keep repeating on the agenda,” Delanski said.

Selectman Bob Souza added, “we want you to come to this board when you have a question. Certainly, if it’s a question about town property or somebody’s upset and you want to resolve it in the best manner for the community, and I know you do. However, I think the board expects when they give a directive that it be followed through, immediately without question.”

On the other hand, Souza said, “you’re the manager. You have to be allowed to have leeway to manage.” He also said that Boudreau had good judgement when he did not remove the entire berm, but he wanted to keep the issue out of the selectmen’s meeting after the decision was made.

Delanski said, “it gets the whole issue stirred up again.”

As for the trucks, Boudreau said, “there’s some major issues.” He added that most of the repairs are done in house, but when they pile up, trucks have to be sent out.

Delanski said, “would it behoove us to take every piece of equipment that we have and have a truck specialist go over it and tell us what he recommends.”

“That could be done, depending on the cost and what we have in the budget,” Boudreau replied.

But Delanski told him not to worry about the budget in this case. “Winter is not that far away.” He added, “I would hate to think that we get out plowing this winter and have two trucks break down or something and then it’s going to cost us a lot of money.”

Delanski continued to explain that with all the Highway Department has going on, it might not be able to address the equipment in time for winter.

Downing explained, “we can’t stand those surprises, financially. Plan maintenance and repair are things you’ve got to dwell on.”

The board voted to have the trucks sent out for inspection to get an estimate for bringing the equipment up to “tip top shape,” as Delanski said.