Voters To Be Asked to Bond Two New Trucks

March 6, 2014

By Meredith McCulloch

FinanceCommitteeAt Annual Town Meeting the Town will be asking voters to bond $440,000 for two new dump trucks.  The trucks need to be replaced next year, according to Roy Sorenson, Director of Public Works, and will not pass another inspection due to rust.

Both trucks have a dual frame chassis construction which strengthens the truck, but also creates a space between the two chassis where water, salt, and snow chemicals can gather and lead to rusting. The town owns seven vehicles of this kind, but the hope is to spread the replacement of the other five over many years because of the high cost. They could go down any minute even during a snowstorm.

The new trucks will have a wing plow which is wider and more efficient for wide roads like Crosby Drive. Because they are a special order, if approved and ordered in April, the trucks would be delivered in October or November. They have a 15-20 year life expectancy.

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The trucks have been heavily used this year for plowing, sanding and salting.  Some snow plowing is contracted out, but contracted plows are often smaller and their availability is not certain. They are used primarily for sanding and salting. Its own crews do most of the town’s plowing.

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bondcliff
March 6, 2014 10:27 pm

How about attempting to reduce cost in other areas to fund the trucks instead of yet another bond (tax increase). The town just spent over 1 million on a new football field and immediately asked for more money for a press box. The trucks would serve the entire town and are more of a necessity. Priority of needs vs wants. Perhaps we can give the taxpayers a breather for a change. There are many residents on fixed incomes that are being nickle and dimed into poverty by bonds and tax increases.

Greg
March 6, 2014 10:16 pm

I have to wonder if leasing these trucks has been considered or a different logistical approach that would deploy the remaining big trucks to Crosby Dr (where most business close for snow days) and the smaller trucks (ours or contractors) for other roads.

Kris Washington
March 6, 2014 6:28 pm

I’m sure these trucks are important. Our DPW has done an incredible job dealing with this year’s heavy snow. But I have to ask if a new truck is more important than the $198,000 school budget gap? Has funding to close that gap, previously reported here, been found?

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