8984-R2_NewGloucester_2023-2024_AnnualReport_Web

ANNUAL REPORT Public Works Department

The Highway Department had a very busy year with lots of ditching, culvert work, and re-paving of roads. We started off in April ditching, cutting trees and replacing culverts that were heavily damaged from heavy rain events throughout the winter. The rain storm on April 6th dropped a significant amount of water and washed out many smaller culverts throughout town. The road crew not only replaced many culverts and put roads back together but they also removed over 1000 yards of wood debris that had come down from the same storm. Kudos to the crew for a job well done. And then we started preparation for paving on Gloucester Hill Road, Chandler Mill Road, Colbath Road and a section on Morse Road. Beginning in the Spring of 2025 we will begin preparation for paving on a section of Penney Road, Cobble Hill Road and sections of Snow Hill Road. In early October the crew started to fill the sand shed with winter sand to get ready for winter. New Gloucester received a little over 65” of snow during the winter of 23/24 with the first snow storm coming in November, and a rainy winter thru the end of March. Winter storms can be hard on the crew with many hours of over time, and I want to thank every crew member for their hard work and dedication to this town, which many times mean weekends, holidays and time away from their families. Along with the cleanup of trees and debris in the Spring, we immediately started adding extra gravel and stone, grading and raking all the dirt roads to get them dried out as quickly as possible. The Public’s winter sand pile is readily available at all times under a covered building to the left of the Fire Station at 611 Lewiston Road. At this time, I would like to thank all of the taxpayers and staff for the support at the annual town meeting and I look forward to another great year working for you in FY24/25.

Respectfully Submitted, Ted Shane Public Works Director

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