DURHAM

To learn more about the town’s effort to establish its own public works department, an informational session is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Durham Community School’s cafeteria.

Presided over by the town’s Board of Selectmen, the informational meeting likely will last about 30 minutes; selectmen’s regular meeting is scheduled to start at its usual 6:30 p.m. time in the adjacent Town Office building.

Voters approved formation of a municipal public works department during annual Town Meeting in April.

The department would have 10 employees on its payroll, more than $1.6 million in equipment and an annual estimated operating budget of about $617,000.

Prior to the April vote, Durham’s municipal road crew extended to a pair of part-time employees and a truck for pothole and sign repair, and a shared roads commissioner with neighboring Pownal.

Otherwise, the town has hired a series of private contractors to plow and sand 47 miles of municipal roadway, as well as its 22 miles of state roads.

By using a dedicated work crew, town officials estimate the cost of work per roadmile will drop from $10,000 to $3,600.

At the time of the April vote, no site for the department’s garage or headquarters had been determined. However, selectmen currently are negotiating with local contractor and gravel pit owner Mike Copp — one of the winter road contractors — to buy his building at 1099 Royalsborough Road, also known as Route 136.

The town submitted its offer for the property on Sept. 27 but has yet to receive a reply.

Citing ongoing negotiations, town administrator Janet Smith would not disclose the amount of the town’s offer.

According to 2012 municipal records, the land and building carry an assessed total valuation of $580,300.

Smith expects the new department to be operational by spring 2014.

Durham Board of Selectmen

WHAT: meeting
WHEN: 6 p.m. today
WHERE: Durham Community School