Whoever Alna selectmen get to plow the town’s roads next winter, board members plan to do their best to make sure the contractor is up to the job.

The board has been satisfied the last several years with contractor Mark Hanley, but he recently declined to renew his contract with the town. So selectmen plan to go out to bid. On June 4, they discussed possible measures to avoid problems they recalled having with some past contractors.

“I think we need to be fairly careful. It's a public safety issue if you don't get the roads plowed,” First Selectman David Abbott said. “Someone could get seriously hurt, or killed.”

Bidders should be able to show they have the equipment, not just plans to buy it once they have the contract, said board members and other residents.

Selectmen discussed seeking at least a three-year deal. That would allow Alna to compete with other towns for contractors, Abbott said. He doubted anyone would want to take on a shorter deal.

Former selectman Chris Cooper suggested the board build in a first-year out, or probationary period, in which the town could cancel the contract if it wasn’t working out.

Town Clerk Amy Warner said she would gather some other towns’ plowing contracts, so that the selectmen could consider working parts of those into the next one for Alna.

The board meets next on June 18 at 7 p.m., at the town office.