2007 Report 02-20-2008 - Town of Scarborough

Report from Public Works Department
(Continued from page 40)
critical to its success.
Taking advantage of a positive bidding climate, we
advertised the SCHOONER ROAD DRAINAGE
PROJECT. Schooner and Mast Roads have long suffered
flooding during moderate to heavy rains. A drainage study
concluded that the piping was grossly undersized. Once
again this was considered a 2-part project, but because of
competitive bidding we were able to complete both phases
with funds allotted for phase I. Both phases were completed
at a total project cost of
$368,000.00. Proper
engineering and
construction techniques
yielded a quality job that
will last for many years.
While roads are critical,
Public Works is tasked with
maintaining other town
assets. We continued our
inventory of street trees
Green Acres Project
with the help of our GIS and a grant from the Project
Canopy Program. The inventory revealed many trees within
the town’s right-of-way needing care and, as time and funds
allow, we will work towards maintaining them.
For last year’s annual report I was asked to look at Public
Works past. In an effort to close the loop, I have been
tasked with looking into
the future of the Public
Works Department. To
some extent, I would say
the future is now. With
programs such as Single-
Stream Curbside
Recycling and multiple
Household Hazardous
Waste Drop-Off Days we
are already addressing the
most critical issue we will
face – environmental
impact. As we try to
minimize our footprint on
the earth, programs like
these will help. Alternative
fuel use will become
critical as well. To that end
we plan to start using
July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007
ROADS PAVED
2006-2007
Ashswamp Road
Berry Road
Broadturn Road
Coach Lantern Lane East
Coach Lantern Lane West
Gorham Road
Holmes Road
Jones Creek Drive
Milliken Road
Old Blue Point Road
Olde Mill Road
Tall Pines Road
Willowdale Road
biodiesel in some town vehicles as well as converting select
gasoline-powered vehicles to run on propane gas. Although
newer technologies will probably end up being the final
solution, biodiesel and propane appear to be viable interim
solutions.
The future will also mean more reliance on the computer.
The Public Works Department already relies on the
computer for day-to-day operations. As State and federal
mandates on asset management and environmental
reporting increase, the computer will be the tool of choice
for tracking required activities.
As our roadways are stretched to their limits for vehicle
capacity, we will need to rely on new technology to lessen
our impact on the traveling public. Already, we see using
slip-lined culverts on major roadways to rehabilitate failing
pipes. This technology means we do not have to close a
road to dig, but rather slide a pipe inside of the existing one.
The result is less disruption of
traffic along with minimized
cost. In the future we will start
lining full subsurface drain
systems with similar products.
Rest assured that as we look
toward the future, we will
welcome the new technologies
it has to offer while always
remembering the past.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael E. Shaw
Director of Public Works
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