Local Roads: Best Practices

It happens every year. We at MMA receive feedback, especially from midsized and smaller communities, that elected and appointed officials want to know more about building, maintaining and clearing local roads. This session is designed to provide up-to-date guidance on local road issues, and answer attendees’ questions.

Discussion topics may include the following:

·         How is crew (or contractor) handling COVID?

·         Posted roads (temporary vs permanent)

·         Paving local roads – materials, options, specs

·         Local Road Assistance Program (LRAP) – money from DOT

·         Legal subjects such as rights of ways, discontinuance process, abandonment, drainage, traffic ordinances, culverts & entrances

·         Speed limits/no parking

·         Damage done to roads and bonding

·         Gravel road maintenance

·         Managing local road budgets—RSMS software

·         Winter plowing/sanding/salting

·         Local road inventory and E911

·         Bridge maintenance and DOT inspection reports

·         Services from Local Roads Center--training, technical assistance, “Road Ranger”, etc.

·         Sand/salt buildings

·         Purchasing sand and other supplies through the State

Presenters: Peter Coughlan, MaineDOT Local Roads Center; Jerry Douglass, Public Works Director, City of Gardiner; Michael Stultz, Staff Attorney, Maine Municipal Association