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When you ask most people what the largest or most expensive asset a town owns is, the answer is usually the same:
When you ask most people what the largest or most expensive asset a town owns is, the answer is usually the same:
“Probably the schools… maybe the fire station?”
“Probably the schools… maybe the fire station?”
And that makes sense, those are big, visible buildings we associate with public investment.
And that makes sense, those are big, visible buildings we associate with public investment.
But the real answer? It’s something you use every single day.
But the real answer? It’s something you use every single day.
It’s not a building. It’s not a park.
It’s not a building. It’s not a park.
It’s the roads.
It’s the roads.
In towns like Sandwich, roads quietly make up the largest portion of public infrastructure investment, far surpassing the value of all other town-owned buildings
In towns like Sandwich, roads quietly make up the largest portion of public infrastructure investment, far surpassing the value of all other town-owned buildings
Roads Are a Town’s Largest Investment
Roads Are a Town’s Largest Investment
In the Town of Sandwich, municipally maintained roads span over 148 miles. If the town had to rebuild those roads from scratch today, it would cost an estimated $518 million, that’s more than four times the value of all other municipal buildings, land, and equipment combined.
In the Town of Sandwich, municipally maintained roads span over 148 miles. If the town had to rebuild those roads from scratch today, it would cost an estimated $518 million, that’s more than four times the value of all other municipal buildings, land, and equipment combined.
This isn’t unique to Sandwich. Across Massachusetts and the country, local roads are often a community’s most valuable and most used asset, yet they don’t always receive the attention, or funding, they deserve.
This isn’t unique to Sandwich. Across Massachusetts and the country, local roads are often a community’s most valuable and most used asset, yet they don’t always receive the attention, or funding, they deserve.
Sandwich Is Setting an Example
Sandwich Is Setting an Example
Over the past decade, Sandwich has taken steps to prioritize road maintenance. The Town has increased its road and infrastructure budget fivefold in just five years—from $173,000 in FY2020 to $825,000 in FY2025, not including state aid.
Over the past decade, Sandwich has taken steps to prioritize road maintenance. The Town has increased its road and infrastructure budget fivefold in just five years—from $173,000 in FY2020 to $825,000 in FY2025, not including state aid.
With the inclusion of Chapter 90 funds, the total available for road maintenance in FY2025 is $1.8 million.
With the inclusion of Chapter 90 funds, the total available for road maintenance in FY2025 is $1.8 million.
That’s a significant commitment—and residents are seeing the results:
That’s a significant commitment—and residents are seeing the results:
- Resurfaced roadways
- Improved drainage
- Strategic long-term planning
These improvements don’t just look good—they save money. Every $1 spent on preventive maintenance avoids $4 to $5 in costly full road reconstruction later.
These improvements don’t just look good—they save money. Every $1 spent on preventive maintenance avoids $4 to $5 in costly full road reconstruction later.
Sandwich's long-term goal is to reach $2.6 million annually for comprehensive pavement management. With current funding nearing $2 million, we’re getting close—but continued investment is essential.
Sandwich's long-term goal is to reach $2.6 million annually for comprehensive pavement management. With current funding nearing $2 million, we’re getting close—but continued investment is essential.
But not all road work looks the same, and not every improvement is as obvious as fresh blacktop. As Sandwich puts more funding into its road network, the Town is using a mix of methods to make that money go further and keep more roads in good shape. One of the more common—and sometimes misunderstood—tools is chip seal. It’s a practical, cost-saving strategy that helps protect roads before they need full repaving.
What Is Chip Seal and Why Does Sandwich Use It?
What Is Chip Seal and Why Does Sandwich Use It?
One of the most visible—and sometimes controversial—tools in the Town’s maintenance toolbox is chip seal.
Chip seal is a pavement preservation technique that involves spraying a thin layer of asphalt emulsion on the road, then applying crushed stone and compacting it. It’s used to:
Seal and protect the road from water and UV damage
Improve traction
Extend pavement life by 5–7 years
Save significant costs—$50,000–$100,000 per mile, compared to $200,000–$500,000 per mile for full asphalt paving
For Sandwich, chip seal is a smart maintenance strategy. It helps stretch limited funds and delay expensive overlays while keeping more miles of roadway in good condition.
Despite the long-term savings, some residents have voiced concerns about:
Loose stones early after application
Rough or noisy texture
Dust and mess during installation
These issues are usually temporary, especially after follow-up sweeping and compaction. While chip seal may not look or feel as smooth as fresh blacktop, it is a proven, cost-effective treatment used across the U.S. and it keeps more of Sandwich’s roads in workable condition without ballooning the budget.
Smarter Tools for Managing Our Most Valuable Asset
Smarter Tools for Managing Our Most Valuable Asset
With an asset as valuable as our road network, towns need more than trucks and asphalt—they need data. Modern road maintenance isn't just about patching potholes. It's about using asset management software and even artificial intelligence (AI) to extend pavement life, reduce costs, and plan smarter.
AI and predictive analytics can analyze maintenance history and environmental data to recommend where to invest first and when to intervene before problems get expensive.
Just as important is coordination with other infrastructure projects. As Sandwich moves forward with its multi-million dollar sewer expansion and utility upgrades, it's critical that road work aligns with underground infrastructure. Roads should be opened once, not repeatedly saving money and reducing disruption.
Why Road Investment Must Stay a Priority
Why Road Investment Must Stay a Priority
Roads deteriorate every year due to weather, traffic, and time. Costs for materials and labor continue to rise. If we don’t continue to fund proactive maintenance, the Town will face exponentially higher costs for reconstruction in the future.
As Sandwich continues to build momentum in its infrastructure program, consistent investment is essential to protect what we've already improved.
What Residents Can Do
Support infrastructure funding during Town Meetings or ballot votes.
Ask questions—but stay informed about why certain maintenance methods (like chip seal) are used.
Recognize the scale of what we own: Sandwich residents are the stewards of $518 million in road infrastructure—our most valuable public asset.
Bottom Line
Bottom Line
Roads aren’t just something we use, they’re something we own. And in Sandwich, we’ve made meaningful progress maintaining them. But like any valuable asset, they need continued care and attention. Let’s make sure our roads, and the infrastructure beneath them, remain a coordinated community priority, today and for the next generation.
Sources
Sources
Town of Sandwich, MA – FY19 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report()
Town of Sandwich, MA – Comprehensive Water Resource Management Plan (CWRMP) Executive Summary, 2017
Sandwich Department of Public Works – Road Program Updates
Cape Cod Commission – Cape Cod & Islands Water Protection Fund
Massachusetts Division of Local Services – Municipal Databank
Grays Harbor County Public Works – Chip Sealing FAQ
Kentucky Transportation Knowledge Portal – What Is Chip Seal?
Sunrise Asphalt – Pros and Cons of Chip Seal
Brooks Paving – Chip Seal vs. Asphalt
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