CANTON — St. Lawrence County and the town of Lisbon are entering into an inter-municipal agreement to purchase sand for the county to use in winter road maintenance operations. 

The agreement, which was approved unanimously during the Finance Committee meeting on Aug. 24, will save the county at least $15,000 and significant drive time, according to interim-Highway Superintendent Ryan Herron. 

Herron offered a brief history of operations for legislators, saying the county has used a sandpit in the town of Pierrepont for roughly ten years. 

A majority of the sand used in winter maintenance comes from the pit, however trucking the sand to Lisbon has been an extensive process, he said. 

Herron said a ten-wheeler driving from the pit to Lisbon is roughly 30 miles, a trip that can take 45 minutes to an hour. 

“Lisbon is a haul for that,” Herron said. 

To supplement the supply, St. Lawrence County has purchased sand from Stout’s Ready Mix Ltd. in Brier Hill. 

But recent discussions with the town of Lisbon have opened up a new avenue to secure sand at a much lower rate much closer to the county’s facility in the town. 

Herron said he was approached by Lisbon Highway Superintendent Michael Baldock about purchasing sand from the municipality instead. 

After discussion and review of the town’s supply, Herron made the recommendation. 

While the county was paying $9 per cubic yard with Stout, the town of Lisbon would charge $6 per cubic yard. 

The drive will also be much shorter, saving ample time and fuel. 

“We can make that trip one-way in 13 minutes,” he said. 

Herron said it’s simple economics. 

“That’s kind of the basis of this, so 5,000 cubic yards would fill our barn about 1.5 times,” Herron said. 

Herron said the county could secure additional supply if necessary as well. 

Legislator David Forsythe, who represents Lisbon, said he was in full support of the measure.  

“I think it’s a good idea. I’ve been at the town board meetings when they brought the conversation up and it makes sense. It’s good for Lisbon. It’s good for the county and it cuts down on costs. It’s a win-win. I know some people will say it’s the government competing against a business but I think it makes sense,” Forsythe said.