Highway Services Board

COUNTY OKS HIGHWAY BOARD:

Chemung County lawmakers Monday agreed to create a new board to help provide better highway services while reducing costs and eliminating duplication of equipment and operations.

Several town highway superintendents who attended Monday's Legislature meeting expressed optimism and reservations about the concept of a Municipal Highway Services Board.

One role of the new group will be to hire a commissioner or superintendent -- at county expense -- to develop a comprehensive plan for snowplowing, road construction and rehabilitation, equipment sharing and bulk purchasing by municipalities in the county that agree to participate.

Erin Highway Superintendent Roger Burlew, who is also president of the Chemung County Highway Superintendents Association, said town highway departments already cooperate with each other.

In the past, there was animosity between the towns and the Chemung County Public Works Department, which is responsible for maintaining county roads, Burlew said.

"The problem has always been the relationship over the last 20 years has been strained. Everybody went their separate ways," he said. "That's why we're just a little squeamish. There's been some distrust in past years.

"We're excited about this. We just want to do what's best for our people," Burlew said. "That's the best service at the cheapest price."