AUBURN — City roads could see more work next year, councilors agreed Monday night.
Councilors decided to add another $2.1 million to the road repair budget, a part of the fiscal year 2016-17 bond package. Public Services Director Dan Goyette said additional projects would be part of the spring 2017 work list.
“I want to ensure that we are putting the city on a path that we are not being penny-wise and pound-foolish in regard to our infrastructure,” Councilor Grady Burns said. “The longer we go in deferring maintenance on our city roads, the more expensive they are to repair and replace.”
Manager Howard Kroll’s Capital Improvement Plan called for $5.4 million in borrowing to pay for projects and equipment.
The capital budget calls for $350,000 in city drainage projects and $500,000 in matching money for projects shared with the Maine Department of Transportation.
It also calls for $320,000 to make the Hasty Gymnasium restrooms wheelchair-accessible, $225,000 to replace plow trucks and a sewer main for an ash landfill in Danville.
It also sets aside $1.9 million for city road reclamation, reconstruction and repaving.
Burns proposed changing the road reclamation budget from $900,000 to $3 million.
“It’s obviously something we spend a huge amount on already, but I want to be sure how we allocate our money when it comes to (capital investment projects),” Burns said. “It doesn’t seem like we are getting ahead. It seems like we are falling behind.”
Kroll said he was behind the increase and councilors agreed.
“I think we’ve heard from our city engineer multiple times about the need for this kind of investment,” Councilor Jim Pross said.
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