WINDSOR -- Selectmen Tuesday voted unanimously to ask residents at a special town meeting to allow them to use as much as $40,000 from surplus for public works projects including finishing up work on Greely, Sampson and Griffin roads.

The work will include intersection improvements, shoulders and finishing off driveway entrances.

"I think we're broke, so the thing we need to speak to first is what are our options," Selectman Ed Hubbard said.

Hubbard said options include cutting back on the projects or going to residents and asking for more money.

Selectmen called a special selectmen's meeting Tuesday to discuss the work and how much the town owes contractors. Selectmen agreed to pay Marshall Swan Construction, of Chelsea, who did the earth work, the amount he requested, which was more than anticipated.

Selectman Ed Hubbard blamed Selectman Jerry Nault, who oversaw the projects, for authorizing more work than had been intended, causing the price to go over budget.

Nault resigned from the board last week, saying his business had grown and he was too busy to be on the board.

Nault said the roads were in rough shape and needed drainage improvements and a blind hill lowered in order to improve visibility and public safety.

The amount officials are recommending to take from surplus also will help cover any work that needs to be done in the spring.

Selectman Ronald Brann said officials must complete repairs to Greely and Sampson roads and Griffin Road. "If we promised people we were going to do this, we have to step up to the plate and do it," he said.

Pat Nasie, a resident who serves on the Budget Committee, said it took two years to fund a public works department. If officials start scaling down projects and cut corners, residents won't give them any more money for public works, she said.

Interim Town Manager Theresa Haskell said not all the bills are in from contractors, but that the request for a maximum of $40,000 will cover it.

She also said the town auditor said there was enough money in surplus. "You're not asking to raise taxes, you're just taking it out of surplus," Haskell said.

Selectman Steve Bishop said the amount selectmen recommended is a worst-case scenario.

"If it's nowhere near that amount, the more the better," Bishop said.

Hubbard said the work needs to be done as quickly as possible.

John Wilcox, Windsor's highway supervisor, said he could probably get the driveways and shoulders done by the end of next week, weather permitting.

"I think we should go to a public meeting and explain what went wrong, and tell them the way it is," Brann said.

The board's recommendation will go before the Budget Committee before the town meeting is scheduled, Haskell said.

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com