Accompanied by Rep. Jon McKane (R-Newcastle) officials from Damariscotta and Newcastle huddled with state Dept. of Transportation Commissioner David Cole Friday, trying to convince him to help out with the local roads.
Cole and his regional manager, Rhonda M. Fletcher, sat down with Damariscotta’s Selectman Dick McLean and town manager Greg Zinser and Newcastle’s town administrator Ron Grenier Friday.
For the better part of two hours, the state road chief said he understood some local roads that fall under state jurisdiction are in poor shape.
Cole said he would love to help, then came the “b” word: But:
Cole is responsible for 8300 miles of state DOT roads, he said.
Federal highway funds are limited and can’t be used for local roads.
Federal stimulus money is for “shovel ready” projects, but can’t be used for engineering work to prepare a project for “the shovel.”
State funding levels change month by month.
State tax collections are down.
Oh yes, some local road maintenance paving is not eligible for state aid, and all five (state DOT) regions have “extraordinary needs.”
McLean asked Dole why the DOT paved Rt. 1 at the Wiscasset Bridge, even though it was not in bad shape, and not pave other roads, like Biscay Rd. and School St.
“Good question. I get that all the time,” said Cole, who launched into a long explanation.
In essence, Cole said the Rt. 1 paving project was to protect a “built” road, a road that has had extensive engineering and subsurface base work. The paving was to protect the extensive and expensive underground work. He called that pavement preservation.
The other roads, like Biscay and School St. are unbuilt roads, essentially paved buckboard tracks, paved over without proper foundations and they rate maintenance service treatment or MST, Cole said. Those projects were cut because of funding levels, he said.
“How about using some of the federal stimulus money to get local projects to the “shovel ready” state?” asked Grenier.
“Oh no,” said Cole. “That (decision) is way above my pay grade.”
Then the conversation turned to the Gateway 1 planning project, recently approved by both towns.
“This year, there is $500,000 available for towns to help bring their local comprehensive plans in line with the Gateway 1 goals. Will that funding continue next year?” asked Zinser.
“I can not speak for future DOT commissioners, but it makes a lot of sense,” Cole said.
Before he climbed in a car with McLean, Zinser and McKane, Cole told the group he was sorry, but he really would love to promise to pave the bumpy Biscay and pot-holed packed School St.
Then there was the “b” word again.
“There is a lot of things we can’t do for you, because of funding you know, but we can communicate,” Cole said. “I try to return all calls and e-mails.
“Be sure to check out web site for updates for our plans are always in flux,” he said as he glanced under the table at his BlackBerry. “We know it is our road, but it is your town… I suggest you check our web site and keep in contact with Rhonda.”
Then the officials climbed into two vehicles and drove to Biscay Road and School St.
As McLean drove the commissioner down School St. dodging ruts and potholes, they had to slow down to pass a state DOT crew that just happened to be patching potholes.
“That was not planned,” said Fletcher who was asked about the timing. “I did not call them. They usually do patching work on Fridays.”
After a short huddle at the Newcastle town office, Zinser declined an offer for a ride back to the Damariscotta town office.
“I think I will walk,” he said.
