Present: Selectmen Mishcon, Danforth, and Coolidge; Town Administrator (TA) Roy, Road Agent Jon Champagne, Don Gross

Road Agent’s Report

Jon inquired as to whether or not issues addressed via the Communication Transmittal Form require signed work proposals before issues can be resolved. The Board agreed this is not necessary. Proposal forms are for projects only.

Jon presented a work order for creating a turn-around at the top of Hoyt Road. Once again there has been damage to equipment plowing and trying to turn around at that location. There is no longer money in the budget for this, and the BoS authorized the TA to send a letter to Mr. Hollins making it clear that the boulders are removed so that equipment can turn around.

Jon will down-post the Lawrence Street bridge.

Grader Breakdown: Jon presented a quote from Milton-Cat for repair of the swallowed valve. Milton-Cat evaluated and documented that the grader is in very good condition. It has a broken valve spring and a broken valve stem. Mike Robinson of Milton-Cat stated to Jon and Don there was no way to pre-detect this condition, as it was a “catastrophic failure.”

Jon reported that Milton-Cat’s records indicate the grader has had service as required and with that, they will work with the Town. This type of failure is usually seen at 10,000+ miles, not 3,800 miles. Caterpillar recognized the overall maintenance and the documentation has been excellent.

When the repair is finished, there will be a six month warranty on the work performed. The extended warranty has expired. A remanufactured head with new valves and valve springs, cylinder pack will be used for replacement.

The Selectmen authorized payment. Mishcon made a motion to authorize payment of approximately $15,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund Highway Equipment. Coolidge seconded the motion. The motion carried.

The Town Administrator will implement a plan where the grader operator’s time sheets with grader details will be copied and maintained in a separate file “Grader Maintenance.”

Highway Committee: Don Gross reported that the committee is now made up of himself and Jon Champagne. The Board should regroup with Gross and Champagne. Once a directive is developed, a request for membership can be published.

Students from Colby-Sawyer College’s Kearsarge Valley Transition Initiative will be attending municipal meetings in Andover and New London. The students introduced themselves. They are working on a survey for towns in this area regarding energy consumption and other basic questions. They are working on the Energy Descent Action Program, a continuing program from last year’s students. Different aspects of towns, health, transportation, tourism etc. The end product will be available for municipalities to use when decision making. Nathan Laramer, Garrett Dunnals.

Arch Weathers in attendance as a Budget Committee member.

Board voted to continue plow rates as established in November 2012.