Some of the highlights of 2011 for the Highway Department were:
Winter of 2011 was very busy due to many small storms. Our average snowfall may have been average, but the total number of storms was high. Wet Heavy snow seems to be an increasing problem. This type of snow makes it very difficult to plow on our hills, so please be very careful when driving in it.
A heavy amount of gravel was installed on the lower section of Chesley Farm Road.
Reclaiming was done to Tyrol and Eagle Mountain Roads. Topcoat paving was done to Tyrol and Sugar Hill Lane.
2012 work shall consist of Topcoat paving on Tyrol, Resurfacing Juniper Hill area and Green Hill. Depending on available funds, we may be able to do some Shimming on Highland and Wilson Roads. Our plans include some drainage work and culvert replacement on Highlands. I plan on doing minor repairs to all of our bridges this year and redecking Wilson Bridge.
Constant maintenance and repairs are always going on in the shop to keep our equipment in shape.
On August 28, 2011, Hurricane Irene struck the area and caused us a lot of work and expense. My budget took a hard hit because of repairs to the damaged areas. As a result, a lot of small jobs and small purchases planned for 2011 were not able to be completed. Damaged roads included Wilson Road, Dundee Road, & Cross Road. Our bridge abutments at Meloon Bridge and Valley Cross Road also received heavy damage. There were many other small areas of damage. Total cost for these areas so far are in the range of $50,000.00.
Dundee Road will need much more work done to it in 2012, and may even extend beyond 2012. Road surface gravel is needed from one end to the other. Erosion stone is needed in the ditches and clean up everywhere. Depending on the degree of repair/replacement approved and implemented, costs could be between $20,000.00 and $60,000.00 to finance Dundee Road.
Future Consideration should be made for higher amounts of money to be put in our Bridge Capital Reserve Account and maybe creating an Emergency Capital Reserve Account for Storm Damage Repairs.
Other Future Considerations will need to be some Reconstruction and repair work on Jackson Highlands, repairs to Hampshire Ridge and reclaiming of Thorn Hill Road. Jackson Highlands and North Hampshire Ridge are very poorly built and very difficult roads to work on, so repairing or rebuilding will get expensive.
Equipment Capital Reserve: For 2012 we do not have a need for any major equipment purchases. Within the next 3 to 5 years, a truck and grader will need to be purchased next, so continuing to contribute to the Equipment Capital Reserve Account on a yearly basis is important to maintain our replacement schedule. Equipment cost has risen dramatically in the last few years due to the addition of newer emissions to them. Because of this we are trying everything possible to have our equipment last longer. Also, we are looking at all options for less expensive equipment while still being able to get the same job done.
In closing, please try to drive carefully in the winter months, and your patience is always appreciated.
Respectfully,
Jay Henry
Road Agent
Town of Jackson, NH
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