Staff Writer

After the first large snow fall in December, Crystal Smith of Sanford was driving on Route 99 heading to work in Kennebunkport. She was anxious to cross the town line into Kennebunk, recalling last year’s cleared roads and easy driving in poor weather conditions. 

“I was excited to get to Kennebunk because the roads are better, but they were so much worse,” Smith said. 

Smith’s coworker, Karen Binder of Kennebunk agreed the condition of Kennebunk roads was “less than desirable.” During the same storm, Binder said she witnessed many cars sliding on Route 1 and Main Street because of the built up slush and ice on the roads.

Kennebunk Public Works Director Michael Claus proposed using less salt this winter to save money, and selectmen approved his plan Oct. 28. Claus said the department has been doing the same amount of plowing as in past years, but has cut the amount of salt usage in half compared to last year by spreading more sand. 

“The roads probably are not as good as in the past as far as getting down to black pavement. Sanford and Biddeford use more salt so you’ll see a lot more black road,” Claus said. 

With a 20 percent increase in the cost of salt since last year, using less salt has saved the department approximately $20,000 as of Dec. 23.

“I understand the need for saving money, but not when people’s lives are at risk,” Binder said. “I’m concerned about the number of accidents this could cause.”

Binder moved to Kennebunk from Arizona May 2008, and while she was familiar with New England winters, having lived in Massachusetts before Arizona, she said she did not anticipate road conditions such as she experienced in December. 

“I was looking forward to winters, but now I’m second guessing my move,” she said. 

Binder and Smith said roads in surrounding towns such as Kennebunkport and Sanford were much better than those in Kennebunk. Smith said she has traveled through Kennebunk to work for the past five years and never experienced a problem with road conditions during the past winter storms. 

“I always take my time, leave early and go slow, but at one point I was at a slight incline and I couldn’t get going from a stop light. There was no traction,” Smith said. 

Kennebunk selectmen revisited Claus’s proposal when they discussed allocating additional funds for salt application to the roads during Tuesday’s meeting after The Post deadline. Selectmen were expected to accept placing an article on the town warrant for the special Town Meeting Saturday, Jan. 31 asking residents to allocate an additional $100,000 from the undesignated fund for salt. 

Selectmen Chairman Wayne Berry said he has received a few “pointed complaints” in regard to road conditions after that first large storm, and he said the warrant article is a direct result of complaints received. 

“People’s expectations were too high, and that was a tough storm. It came down fast and cars that were out packed it down,” Berry said. “We as a state are more sophisticated about cleaning roads, but we have to recognize we live in a snow belt.”

Berry said the town used a “tremendous amount” of salt last year, which led to public works being over budget for the year. Rather than budgeting for what was used last year, Berry said selectmen decided to budget for projected need this year, but have recognized the need for additional funds to purchase salt. 

When Kennebunk selectmen approved Claus’s proposal, they reminded residents to take more time and drive slowly. 

 “Asking people to learn to drive slower is not realistic. People just fly through and that’s just as dangerous,” Binder said. 

Smaller bordering towns, such as Arundel are accustomed to using less salt and sanding more. Arundel Public Works Director Roger Taschereau said Arundel does not have a “bare road” policy, and uses sand with a small proportion of salt mixed in, similar the mix Claus said Kennebunk is currently using. 

“We get out to scrape and sand, but it’s hard to compete with towns that use salt. There’s not one particular thing to solve our winter problems,” Taschereau said. 

Residents will vote on the warrant article to appropriate additional funds for salt application on the roads during the special Town Meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 in the high school gymnasium.