Sand, Salt, and Other DPW Updates

Nothing gets Stafford's townspeople worked up like an update from the Department of Public Works (DPW). From paving to plowing, the DPW plays a visible role in town and affects residents' lives. At the January 7, 2026, Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting, DPW Director John Whetton provided several updates that are sure to get people talking.

Sand and salt

Between December 2, 2025, and January 7, 2026, Whetton says the DPW responded to 15 different weather events. But it's not road care that seems to be prompting residents' questions (or complaints). Whetton also spoke about the courtesy program that provides salt and sand to residents. Whetton noted that other towns have ended the program and that, due to increasing storm frequency, Stafford needs to limit the amount of sand or salt it provides at no cost to residents.

"Our duty is to maintain the roadways with the materials we have," Whetton told the board. With that in mind, he said the DPW limits the amount available to residents to two cubic yards per day and asks residents to limit themselves to one bucket per day. He estimated that at two cubic yards per day, the town could fill one of its six-wheeled trucks with the amount of salt and sand it distributes in a week.

With only two full-time employees at the transfer station, Whetton said that there isn't enough staff to monitor the bin of salt and sand. "If you take more than one bucket, you're stealing from your neighbors," he added. Some people are reportedly filling up trash cans and even trailers with this sand and salt.

The selectmen supported the plan to continue limiting the amount of material available to two cubic yards.

Work orders

Last year, the DPW launched a new ticketing system that allows residents to submit work requests and receive progress updates. Whetton said the department has received 468 task requests and completed 422. Another 27 have been "closed."

So, if you've got a pot hole to complain about, now is the time.

Get ready for paving on Hampden Road

Hampden Road comes up during nearly every discussion of paving in Stafford, but that may soon change. At the BOS meeting, the board voted to award a paving contract to Galosso Materials, for about $730,000. According to Whetton, this would pave the road from Route 190 to its end, and milling and paving should begin in the spring. He also noted that if the project comes in under budget, he has a list of projects that could use the remaining budget.

Selectman Tim Cromwell said, "The volume and price that you're getting is substantial."

In other paving news, DPW has submitted Gulf Road to the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CROG) for consideration under the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP).