Clayton sand barn is nearly complete

CLAYTON — Construction of the town Highway Department's $380,000 sand and salt barn on East Line Road is almost complete and the building needs only some finishing touches.

"Things are moving along pretty good," Highway Superintendent Robert D. Boulton said.

Once the construction is completed next week, he said, the Highway Department will begin working on the pavement around the building.

The department should be able to move all of its salt and sand into the new barn by the end of the month, Mr. Boulton said.

The town borrowed $400,000 for the project in May and hired CWF Associates Inc., Brattleboro, Vt., to build the 76-by-160-foot sand and salt barn behind the existing barn. Town officials initially hoped to complete the construction project last summer.

Although the town has spent $376,876 for the building, Mr. Boulton said, it "will save the town money in the long run."

"When it rains, you lose 15 to 20 percent of your salt" if it is uncovered, he said.

Mr. Boulton said the town normally would purchase 2,500 to 2,800 tons of salt each year. But with the new, larger barn keeping the salt dry, the town should need to buy only 2,000 to 2,200 tons.

He said the town will purchase salt through the state for $59.49 per ton this year. If the new barn performs as expected, buying 500 tons less salt could save about $30,000 this year.