Preston to consider shift in road management

“This is a very critical step for you, and you want to make the best decision out of the gate.” STEVE MASALIN, CONSULTANT

Preston — The Board of Selectmen will consider hiring a consultant to analyze the condition of the town’s roads for a possible shift in road management, from annual chip-sealing some roads to a long-term program of more lasting but more expensive road improvements.

Selectmen and Board of Finance members had discussed the policy shift during budget deliberations in the spring. On Thursday, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to invite three professional consulting firms to give presentations of their proposals to evaluate town roads for a possible resurfacing plan.

Preston, which does not have a public works director, has hired Ledyard Public Works Director Steve Masalin as a consultant on public works issues. Masalin on Thursday said the evaluation could help the town manage roadwork and improvements better. Masalin said the selection is important, because it could lead to a long-term relationship with the firm.

“This is a very critical step for you,” Masalin said, “and you want to make the best decision out of the gate. You’ll want to stick with the one (consultant), because there are startup costs.”

The decision to seek a road analysis came as the board started to discuss plans to use the $64,000 in the 2019-20 fiscal year that ends next week for chip-sealing roads this summer. The Board of Finance in spring encumbered the funds into the next fiscal year, and town Finance Director John Spang said the money should be committed before the fiscal year audit begins in November.

“I’ve never been a fan of chip-sealing,” Selectman Kenneth Zachem interjected, asking if the town would be spending its money better with a survey of town roads to assess their condition and improvement needs.

The 2019-20 roads budget has another $20,000, and the new budget that starts July 1 has $47,000 for road surfacing.

Masalin said that money wouldn’t go far for paving if the town elects to shift from chip-sealing to longer-lasting resurfacing. Several years ago, Ledyard did a $3 million bond for paving roads, an option Preston could consider once it has the road condition survey.