Layers of repairs are visible in July 2024 on Jewett Road in Pittston. The Pittston Board of Selectmen voted to sue Sam Snow Construction over work performed by the company, which is owned and operated by the town’s road commissioner. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

PITTSTON — The Board of Selectmen voted Wednesday to pursue a lawsuit against the company owned and operated by the town’s elected road commissioner, which it blames for the faulty repair of Jewett Road.

Board members voted unanimously to sue, saying while they are not thrilled to resort to legal action, they believe it is the only way to repair the road without relying on taxpayers for the estimated $2 million the project will cost.

“We owe the citizens a way to control their tax dollar. If this is one way of helping that tax dollar, I feel as though we might, or should, move forward with this,” Jane Hubert, chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen, said.

Pittston Road Commissioner Sam Snow takes part in Pittston’s town meeting in March 2024. The Pittston Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Wednesday to sue Sam Snow Construction over its repairs of Jewett Road. The company is owned and operated by Snow. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal file

Sam Snow has faced criticism for his company’s repair of Jewett Road. After about a year, the road started to show surface defects.

Snow’s construction company, Sam Snow Construction Inc., takes care of the town’s road work. As road commissioner, Snow is paid $12,000 a year. Last year, the select board withheld his pay until he could discuss keeping the board informed about road repairs and spending. Snow has been Pittston’s road commissioner for 11 years. His current three-year term expires in March 2026.

The work his company did to repair Jewett Road was reviewed by two engineering firms, which both recommend a complete reconstruction of the road.

Pine Tree Engineering Inc. of Bath said that the town has three viable options: Reverting Jewett Road to a dirt road, the cheapest option, at $251,000; rebuilding the existing road base for about $1,516,000; or a full-depth reconstruction, recommended by the firm, that would cost at least $1,876,000.  

Selectman Joe Caputo said board members tried to communicate with Snow’s insurance company for two months, without success.

“I don’t think anyone up here is pleased with what we are going to do, or what we are about to do, but the only thing that I would say is, don’t we have a responsibility as the board to try and recoup? It’s upwards of $1 million to rebuild that road,” Caputo said.

The select board has not decided how to move forward with the road, but officials have said they support a reconstruction.

Snow was absent from the meeting Wednesday and told the select board two weeks ago he planned to take a leave of absence, but did not elaborate.

Reached by phone on Thursday, Snow said he was unaware of the board’s action.

“I don’t know nothin’ about it. I am down south on vacation,” Snow said.