CHESTERVILLE — Selectmen have been given an estimate of $5.37 million to repair 31 sections of town roads.

Bruce Manzer, owner of Bruce A. Manzer Inc. of Anson, presented his recommendations and estimates for repairs in writing to the board Thursday night. 

Town officials and Manzer inspected town roads Jan. 16 and discovered several need more extensive work than others.

Manzer estimated $2.7 million would be needed for 1 inch of shim and 1 inch of overlay on sections of 14 roads. Prices ranged from $40,700 for a 1,850-foot section of Webber Road to $453,689 for 23,200 feet on Borough Road.

More extensive work was recommended for sections of 16 other roads. It would include:

• Rototilling the road;

• Reclaiming the gravel;

• Adding more gravel; and

• Putting down a 2-inch asphalt base coat.

The work would cost an estimated $2.67 million, Manzer said.

His estimates ranged from $18,293 for an 800-foot section of Sand Pond Road to $409,298 for 11,200 feet on Stinchfield Hill Road.

The second group of roads would also need an additional surface layer, for which costs weren’t given. That layer would not have to be done this year.

Manzer also estimated $20,700 to upgrade Cross Street. It needs gravel, a 2-inch base asphalt layer and a 1-inch surface asphalt layer.

Road Foreman Mike Cote said, “If we do it right the first time, we only have to do it once. We’ve learned some things.”

Voters will decide the amount spent on paving at the annual town meeting, Monday, March 13. 

The preliminary budget for 2017, presented by Board of Selectman Chairman Guy Iverson on Thursday night, includes two paving options: $42,300 from the state’s Local Roads Assistance Program and $100,000 from the town; or $140,000 in addition to the Local Roads Assistance Program funds.

“The goal is to complete 2 miles of paving this year,” Iverson said. 

Being considered for paving are Zions Hill, Egypt Pond, Borough and Cooper roads, and Cross Street.

“The question is, do we exceed last year’s budget.” Iverson said.

Last year, $128,000 was spent to pave about 1.5 miles of road, he said.

The Budget Committee will meet for the first time at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net