“The purpose would be to save money by maintaining our roadways rather than rebuilding,” explained Councilman Shawn Palmer, who proposed a maintenance plan for roads at the Dec. 7 Taylor Town Council meeting,

Palmer’s plan would eliminate vehicle damage, and protect the safety of the people and the well being of Taylor.

The councilman proposed creating a plan that would identify problem areas before they get exaggerated, report those problem areas to management and then management would carry out the plan, resolving the problem.

Palmer noted that they have an estimated $40 million of paved roadways in Taylor, but need to repair road damage such as potholes, as well as contain excessive weeds and tree overgrowth, and maintain streetlights.

“I see the roads getting in worse and worse condition,” he said.

Palmer advised fellow council members that he discussed his idea with Snowflake-Taylor Police Chief Jerry VanWinkle, who responded in a positive manner.

Because police officers travel the roads on a daily basis, Palmer felt they would spot road damage. Officers would then document road damage, tree overgrowth and so forth, making a list of problems and rating them on a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 being urgent and 3 requiring action within the next 90 days. Chief VanWinkle would submit these reports to the public works director for repairs.

There was discussion on a proposed plan to have an outside company do road repairs such as potholes.

Palmer said he felt this should be done in-house because they have the equipment, personnel and staff knows how to make repairs. His estimate was a cost of approximately 70 cents for each pothole.

Councilman Jared Hatch said he saw in information that a slurry seal was scheduled, however he felt Center Street was in good shape for slurry seal, but that there were many roads past the point of maintenance that would need to be rebuilt.

“I think this is the right track. We do need to visit this,” said Hatch.

Mayor Fay Hatch asked Town Manager Eric Duthie if there were items already being considered, and Duthie referred to Town Engineer Stu Spaulding.

Spaulding provided information he had gathered and a six-year plan, noting that they would spend approximately $200,000 for road maintenance this year and approximately $170,000 the next five years, with $30,000 going toward pothole repair.

Mayor Hatch asked Palmer to work with staff and if needed, bring something back to the council.