Lanesborough Town Administrator Paul Sieloff told the Board of Selectmen that he is looking for ways to allocate additional resources toward fixing drainage issues that is damaging roads.

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Town Administrator Paul Sieloff is thinking about dedicating extra resources to alleviate drainage issues tearing up town roads.

 

On Monday, Sieloff said he's noticed the Highway Department has been putting in a large amount of work in cleaning up washouts and other drainage-related issues on the roads.

 

He told the Selectmen that in the next fiscal budget, he may be looking to allocate additional resources to fix the issue on some of the worst areas.

 

"If it was really focused for two months, we could get a lot of drainage projects completed," Sieloff said of a possible idea of hiring a temporary worker for just a few months in the spring to re-do drainage systems around town.

 

Sieloff said he wouldn't want to borrow for road repairs but drainage projects might make such a significant impact that it could be worth it.

 

"You can't sustain borrowing to do projects. But you can do a moderate amount of borrowing if it accomplishes something," he said.

 

Sieloff says it isn't just because there are a large number of dirt roads that there are washouts causing large gullies in some areas. He is now looking for grants or other ways to dedicate resources to drainage.

 

In other business, the Selectmen appointed a new committee eyed to continue working on updating the dock bylaw. And the Selectmen approved five events in September.

 

The Tyler Foundation's Pain in the Mass Cycling race was approved for Sept. 21; the Berkshires to Boston bicycle race was approved from Sept. 17 until Sept. 20 with the 18th being the day the racers are in town; the Hoosac Valley Motorcycle Club is returning with motocross races at the Phelps farm on Sept. 20 and on Oct. 19; the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Hike and Bike was approved for Sept. 20 ; and the bulky waste cleanup was schedule for Sept. 20 at the Highway Garage. 

 

The Selectmen also approved keeping a special municipal financial interest form on file for Selectman Henry Sayers. Sayers owns Sayers Auto Wrecking and receives income from the town in two ways — he is in a rotation of companies the town calls when the Police Department needs to tow a vehicle and he collects metal at the recycling center.

 

"Hank's company does two relatively small things for the town. Because he is on a town board, after talking with town counsel, he should fill out this form," Sieloff said.

 

The form discloses Sayers' income interest in the town to help avoid ethical violations.