BudCom gives Belmont Public Works another $10k to fill roadway cracks

BELMONT — The Budget Committee added $10,000 to the Public Works Department budget last night to allow the department funds for roadway crack sealing.

Director Jim Fortin had eliminated the $10,000 from his requested budget telling the committee that while he can always use the appropriation, he was trying to keep his budget as low as possible.

"It is preventative maintenance but it is crazy expensive," he said.

After Tonyel Mitchell-Berry made the motion, member Susan Harris asked him if he really needed it.

"Absolutely" said Fortin, noting that while some roads need complete resurfacing, he likes to use it on the roads that are about five years old and just beginning to crack. "Those are the ones you want to protect."

Overall, the Public Works Department budget is $1,281,928 up from $1,172,614, or about 8.5, percent from last year. Much of the increase is due to increase in state retirement contributions, health and dental insurance and a one percent increase in annual wages.

The above includes the Public Works administration, highways and streets and the Highway Block Grant of $166,094 — the money returned from the state to the individual towns. Fortin said he uses the block grant primarily for paving projects.

He has also recommended hiring one part-time person to assist primarily at night with snow removal in the village area.

In addition, the Public Works Budget proposed a lease-purchase (four years) of a refurbished sidewalk plow. Fortin said the cost is about $13,400 annually.