LIVERMORE — The Road Committee plans to do research and possibly develop a long-term plan to improve roads in town.

The committee recently “had considerable discussion on taking a longer and broader approach to deal with our many miles of deteriorated town roads,” Livermore administrative assistant Kurt Schaub said Thursday.

Roads that have smooth travel surfaces, drain well and don’t have trees blocking sun during the winter months are easier and less expensive to maintain, especially in the winter, he said.

Snow scrapes off easily, which doesn’t allow for icy hard-pack to develop, he said.

For example, Schaub said work that was done over the last few years on Norlands Road is making it easier for the town crews to maintain during winter months.

Plowing takes less time and it costs less overtime, he said. Other benefits include not needing as much sand and salt, and reducing wear and tear on the trucks, he said.

The committee will consider the possibility of asking the town to seek a bond to fund a major construction effort to improve the roads, Schaub said. Any bond issued to the town would need to be approved by the selectpersons to go before voters with the latter having the final say.

The bond would be paid over a set time, usually 10 years, he said.

Local bonding for road improvements is an idea that is gaining traction in a number of Maine communities, Schaub said.

The committee will do some research and develop a plan over the next three to six months to determine what roads would be covered, what kind of work needs to be done and develop a plan of cost and approach, he said.

dperry@sunjournal.com