Another opportunity to share?

MEXICO -- In addressing pothole issues, this may present another sharing opportunity for Rumford and Mexico.

At the selectmen's meeting here on March 12, Board Chairman Richie Philbrick, who works for Rumford Public Works, led the discussion regarding consideration for the purchase of a hot box with Rumford for using old reclaimed asphalt for patching potholes in the two towns.

Town Manager John Madigan said Rumford Road Commissioner Andy Russell contacted John Blais of the Mexico Highway Department recently to see if Mexico would be interested in sharing in the cost of a hot box. He thought it would cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $16,000 and $20,000.

Philbrick said, "We used one from the state the other day. We borrowed it just to see how it was, and all the grinding we have. I tell you what, it's a lot better hot than when it's cold. We put up where we had that sewer main up on Hancock Street and we put before we went plowing on one of the big storms and that has lasted and has not come out."

"It would be feasible because we have all that grinding that we do. You put that in (the box) overnight, and then the next day, you're ready to rock 'n roll," he said, noted that it's heated with propane.

Both towns have large piles of old chunks of asphalt.

Selectman George Byam added, "When you're doing that, you're putting in regular hot top and it sets right up."

Philbrick said Russell brought this up because the two towns worked together to share the cost of the ladder truck. With this, the town could use this instead of cold patching. Further, the hot box can be used even during the cold winter months.

"It's time to look at things that we can starting saving. I think this is a great idea," noted Philbrick.

Selectman Byron Ouellette said, "I think this is worth discussing as long as it's an equitable situation where Rumford is gonig to use it more because they're larger. I think we should sit down with the selectmen and try to figure out to see if this is going to work for everybody. I think it's a good idea. We should start sharing things that can be used between the two towns."

Madigan said Mexico maintains 29 miles of road, and Rumford has about 84. Mexico's portion is about 25 percent of the total. "If you look at that and what it might be, you're looking at a starting point on any kind of negotiation for our share of it. If we only have 25 percent of the roads, we would likely only use this 25 percent of the time, and I think we both have the same typical pot hole problem areas."

Madigan said this could also be used for shoulder work due to storm runoff.

If considered, Philbrick said Russell would check to see if the state had used hot boxes available for purchase.