By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO — Murphy’s Law hit full force during two different snowstorms in mid-January.

During one snow event, the town plow truck broke down.

During a winter storm on Jan. 13, one of the contractor’s employees seemed to have stopped plowing before it stopped snowing.

This winter, the town is testing out a hybrid model for winter-time maintenance that includes both a contracted plowing company and the budding public works department. 

Casco Town Manager Anthony “Tony” Ward— who also serves in the capacity of road commissioner — reported that the plowing results fell short of the public’s expectations as well as the town’s ideals.

“On the most recent snowstorm, multiple roads were not plowed to the expectations. Some weren’t plowed days after the storm. We had to work with our contractor to get it done,” Ward said.

Residents along those unplowed roads got an earnest apology from the town manager.

“The town recently experienced some difficulties with the recent snowstorms. Multiple town roadways were not plowed or treated during the storm, or days after the storm,” Ward said.

“Additionally, some contracted personnel ceased plowing before completion of the storm. These problems are being addressed with C. Pond Plowing,” he said.

Ward has expressed his regrets to citizens living on the roads that weren’t plowed promptly.

“I have personally contacted each resident who rightfully complained about the roadways and {I} apologized on behalf of the town,” Ward said. 

On Jan. 23, Ward provided the Casco Select Board with an update of how the town crew fared during another snowstorm this month.

The equipment failure stalled progress, he said. The white truck used by Public Works is a 2014 Ford 550, he said.

“The town’s white plow truck became inoperable during a recent storm. The truck’s transmission module failed, the power take-off {gear box} was not operating, and the transmission pan needed replacement,” he said.

On Tuesday afternoon, Ward confirmed the truck was back in service after repairs had been completed.

Meanwhile, a game plan is in the works.

“Staff and I are developing protocols that will prevent these types of substandard performance,” he said.

Select Board member Grant Plummer recalls the Jan. 13 snowstorm, and the poor condition of Casco’s roads compared to plowing done in the neighboring towns or by the state.

“I was out traveling around . . .  the day we had some concerns about the plowing contractor. There were some bad road conditions out there. I get that stuff happens,” he began.

“It was a frustrating day because I was driving from community to community to community, and every other community was in pretty good shape, and we were in terrible shape,” Plummer said.