(1/25) Thurmont is preparing to implement a new roadway assessment plan to monitor paving and prioritize repairs based in part on a new grading system.

Harold Lawson, director of public works, told the Board of Commissioners at their January 21 meeting, "The roads condition assessment (developed by town staff) is basically a visual inspection and grading method that can be used by town officials and staff in decision making and the efficient roadway fund use. It may be combined with additional testing and data collection in a more comprehensive pavement management plan."

"In an effort to allow the Town of Thurmont to plan for future roadway and paving repair projects, I thought a formalized technique to manage roadway surface conditions would be helpful," Lawson said.

The director stated, "In the past this was done informally, based on staffs' judgment and experience... using a slightly more formalized technique will allow the town to inventory all local roads and streets, periodically evaluate the condition of all pavements, and use the condition evaluations to set priorities for projects and select alternative treatments."

"This is a guideline. It's not the strictest rule to adhere by. There are also other factors you have to consider (safety, long range traffic projects, economic issues, et cetera)," he said.

Kelly Duty, zoning and utility inspector, said, "We can't all (municipalities) be spending money all the time getting engineers out there to test the roads and do all the work for them. We know our roads better than an engineer. We're out there driving them. We're looking at them. We're out there every day."

The plan will be implemented as soon as "we get together with myself, Harold and Tim Eyler (streets and parks supervisor) and come up with our worst five (roadways) in our opinions... and assess those, and then go from there."

It was also noted the data generated will serve also to keep a record of degradation and how different repair processes hold up over time.