Microsoft Word - Final Annual Report 2019.docx

ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19

Public Works

The Public Works Dept. consists of four men, myself included. Each one is assigned a defined route of roadways to maintain in the winter. If one of us falls behind the others will come lend a hand. We all generally plow the transfer station together once we have ensured

all the roads are safe to travel on. It takes about two and a half to three hours to get around a route so we cannot be everywhere at once. When it is storming out, you should plan your travel before it gets bad if you are able, I realize a lot of people have no choice but to travel due to work, but please know that we are getting around as quickly and safely as possible in order to make the roads passable. This past winter we had around 100 inches of snow, a moderate season but not a blockbuster, and we were on the roads 51 times dealing with weather conditions. Spring was fairly late coming to us, but as soon as we could we started that awful spring clean-up. I always tell the guys to remember that when they are putting the sand down in certain places, we will eventually have to pick it up so go easy, but that goes by the wayside real fast when we deal with ice and slippery conditions. In the past, we had hired a sweeping contractor who always did a good job, but the price had gotten quite expensive over the years. We saw a sweeper in Oxford for sale by bid, placed a bid and were able to purchase it for very good price. We had to tinker on it some, but we feel it will be ready to go next spring and should save a lot of money and allow for the crew take the time needed rather than to rush so much to get it done in a week. I, as well as the Town, am lucky to have a crew that will dive right into projects like this. Because of them, we save a lot of money by working on our vehicles to the fullest extent possible. A lot of culverts were changed over the summer months, along with a bunch of ditching, a job that seems like we never get ahead of. We have been renting a machine for 30 days per year over the last few years but finally purchased a small excavator of our own. It is just right for the work we do and should save us a lot of money in the long run. The excavator stayed very busy until the end of fall and increased the amount of work we can get done in the summer and fall months. We will also use it for Water Dept. and Sanitary projects. I get a lot of positive vibes about our work, sometimes run into someone that has a problem with us or that is not happy and I always try to cure the problem in a timely matter. There are few that we will never satisfy but you will always have a few grumps. We’ve learned to take it with a grain of salt. The guys and I are because we love the job not because we are getting rich. We are committed to keeping the town roads safe, the downtown clean and well maintained, and the ballfields, municipal grounds, parks and cemeteries mowed. Our goal is for the approximately 15,000 vehicles driving through each day and all the families playing ball down behind the Municipal Building to express what a nice-looking little town this is. If anyone has any issues please feel free to call the town garage, leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Scott Penney, Director

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