RANGELEY — Selectmen heard a preliminary engineering report Tuesday on the proposed repaving project for High and School streets.

Rick Dunton of Main-Land Development Consultants presented highlights of the report. He said subsurface exploration on School Street found some gravel, but mostly layers of old pavement. The poor surface condition is due to higher traffic than on other residential streets, because of the presence of the Town Office, Fire Department, ball fields and senior housing.

Alternatives such as resurfacing and resetting granite curbs could lower costs but also shorten the life of the project, he said. Estimated duration of a full reconstruction is 20 to 30 years. If the School Street project is to be done by this winter, Dunton said he has a schedule that is very aggressive, and is feasible if not ideal.

The High Street project has a similar scenario, with more potholes and patchwork than cracks. Dunton said the pavement has no subbase, but because the ground is glacial till, it provides fairly firm structural support. Full-depth reconstruction is recommended, along with new culvert and perforated pipe-drainage improvements. The schedule is more relaxed than School Street, with time scheduled for winter for the design and bids.

Dunton added that it is cost-effective to have both roads surveyed and engineered this year, but construction on both projects is not feasible before winter.

The evening began with a special hearing on details of the town’s General Assistance plan. Town Manager pro tem Tiki White explained that in 2003 the town adopted a GA ordinance to provide financial assistance to residents who cannot meet basic living needs, to a maximum of $856 for a family of four.

All amounts change yearly and thus require an annual hearing. Amounts are set by Federal Housing and Urban Development, and White recommended abiding by their guidelines.

Later, in the regular meeting, the board voted unanimously to approve the General Assistance appendices.

The board approved the carry forwards for the fiscal year 2013 in the amount of $89,572 for continuing projects, which include furnace installation for the Fire Department, cracked ceiling repair at the airport, park drainage and the town’s website design.

The board also heard letters from the Rangeley Friends of the Arts thanking them for permission to hold the West African musical evening at the airport, and from the Logging Museum with thanks for helping with the log-rolling tank.

The public was advised that there is information available at the Town Office on disposal protocols for banned pesticides. A vendor license renewal was approved for Terry’s Orchard, with the proviso that signage should be moved back from the roadway.

Fire Chief Tim Pellerin demonstrated equipment updates to the board, including a hose that failed the pressure test, and examples of old and new sets of turnout gear. The old gear has neoprene liners that melt in extreme heat, and can withstand a 1,000-degree flash for six seconds. The new suits, lined with NASA space suit material, can withstand a 1,500-degree flash for 60 seconds. Chief Pellerin is budgeting for four of the new suits a year. The board agreed that, though expensive, the up-to-date equipment is essential for the safety of the firefighters.

White reported that the cemetery water line is complete, but the sewage pump station generator project might have to be postponed until spring.