By Emma Bouthillette 

Staff Writer

While Kennebunk Selectmen did not accept Town Manager Barry Tibbetts’ Oct. 28 proposal to reduce the number of sidewalks cleared after snowstorms, they did allow the public works department to reduce the amount of salt used on the roads. 

Selectmen discussed the town’s use of salt and sand during snowstorms. Projected costs for salt are between $64 and $71 per ton and sand is $8.25 per ton.

While it requires two loads of sand to treat the same road as one load of salt, Tibbetts said the department estimates using 30 percent less salt by using a mixture of sand and salt. 

Department of Public Works Director Michael Claus said the department plans to save on salt use by salting only the primary roads and bus routes, using a combination of sand and salt on connector roads and sanding the remaining roads that see less traffic. 

“It is going to be a slow process, but it will cut down on cost,” Claus said. 

With 23 storms that required clean-up last winter, Tibbetts said the town used 32,000 tons of salt. The public works department has budgeted for 20,000 tons of salt this year. 

“The opportunity is there to save money. The crew is ready to try a different approach and willing to keep track of what they use,” Tibbetts said. “This is not diminishing the safety of the roads at all.”

Selectmen expressed concern about road conditions for drivers following snowstorms. Claus said roads would “definitely not be bare pavement” that people are used to with a sand and salt mixture, but said drivers need to be aware. 

“People need to slow down during the winter and pay attention to what they are doing. They need to plan accordingly and add extra minutes to their travel time,” Berry said. 

Selectmen left it in the hands of the public works department to decide what methods to use on what roads, but asked if the crew could keep accurate records this winter to compare savings from last winter and assess if the changes were successful. 

As another means of saving money during the winter months, Tibbetts proposed reducing the number of sidewalks cleared of snow from a total of 13 miles to four miles and projected a savings of $7,000 based on six snowstorms of at least three inches. 

“We are looking at different areas throughout town to save more money,” Tibbetts said. “This is a different approach, and many towns require residents to clear sidewalks in front of their homes.”

While he said reduced miles would reduce overtime paid to the public works crew as well as reduce the need for maintenance of the snow removal machines, selectmen voted against his proposal.

Selectmen Chairman Wayne Berry said he has heard concerns from residents about children walking to and from school, and said parents are worried unclear sidewalks would force children to walk in the street. 

After evaluating priority sidewalks and speaking with school administration, Tibbetts said part of the four miles of sidewalks the town will clear includes areas around the middle and high schools. 

Selectman Thomas Wellman, who excused himself from the vote, spoke as a resident from the audience on the issue.

He said some of the sidewalks Tibbetts proposed to cut were in subdivisions and neighborhoods where the town planning board requested sidewalks to be included. 

“The sidewalks are a chance for residents to get out and get some exercise that they otherwise may not get. Most of the residents don’t have children in school, but we still collect a lot of tax money from them and clearing sidewalks is about all we can do for them,” Wellman said. “I think we can afford the $7,000 to do this.”