Equipment needed for Otisfield roadwork

OTISFIELD — The need for town road equipment was proposed by Road Study Committee Chair Quentin Henderson during the June 20 selectmen's meeting. 

Henderson presented the committee's proposed equipment report. He said that it's the committee's goal to "provide the best possible roads for the residents of Otisfield and to ensure that the town-owned equipment is well-maintained." 

He said that in summary, the committee has reviewed information collected over the past several months "to determine the feasibility of having town-owned road equipment when the need occurs." 

Other committee members include David Hyer, Dan Peaco, Lenny Adler, and Richard Bean, the town's road commissioner. 

"At the initial meeting," said Henderson, "it was determined that the committee should focus on gathering information on the construction of the town garage and purchasing road equipment." 

Henderson said that committee members met with other road crews in the towns of Greenwood, Woodstock, West Paris, South Paris, Oxford, Poland and Buckfield and determined that most of the basic equipment, like dump trucks, backhoes, loaders and graders, "were the norm." 

In order to meet the town's needs, Henderson said that the committee will need more equipment, specifically plow and sand trucks. 

In addition, Henderson pointed out that several items on the garage tool list are sources of potential harm to the user. "Therefore, we recommend that a safety and operating procedure be established, prior to occupying a facility of equipment," said Henderson. 

He said the town currently owns two plow trucks. Should the town go forward with the garage construction, Henderson said that additional equipment would be needed and could cost around $11,000. 

Voters will be asked to fund construction of the garage (estimated at $350,000) at the annual town meeting June 30. 

In other news, the board: 

• Heard from Administrative Assistant Marianne Izzo-Morin that the maximum amount of money a person must have in order to receive General Assistance has increased by 10 percent. She also said there is a nine-month limit a person can have assistance.