LIMESTONE, Maine — Members of the Select Board voted to buy a $168,600 2018 Volvo L90H Wheel Loader from Chadwick-BaRoss of Caribou for the town highway department during a July 25 meeting.
In order to close the deal, though, Limestone residents will need to approve the purchase during a special town meeting at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 8 in room B101 at Limestone Community School.
Limestone officials will trade in their 1991 Michigan loader for $20,600, which interim Town Manager Tom Stevens said is nearing the end of its useful life cycle. This will knock down the total price to $148,000. About $70,000 of the purchase price will come from the town’s reserve account and the remainder will be financed over five years through a loan with the Katahdin Trust Company.
Before voting to buy the loader, select board members asked Highway Foreman Jim Pelletier if he had heard about any used loaders and what his thoughts were on pursuing a $10,000 extended warranty.
Pelletier said he had not received any information about used loaders that fit the town’s requirements as of that afternoon. He also indicated that the warranty was most likely unnecessary.
“The one we have is 27 years old and all the big problems came up in the last 10 years,” he said concerning the warranty. “I think the new loader will do us good for a long time. We’re not going to see 1,000 hours of use a year, and I don’t see anything coming up where we would use the loader more than we currently do.”
Selectman Chris Durepo asked about the Volvo’s weight in comparison to the town’s 1991 vehicle, and asked if chains would be necessary in the winter if it is lighter than their current loader.
“I don’t think we would need them,” replied Pelletier, “but we have so many chains hanging around the shop, and barrels of lugs to put them together.”
Durepo said his rationale in asking was that a “smaller machine will have to generate traction somewhere.” He then said it seemed like Pelletier has what he needs in the shop should that become an issue.
The selectman also said he was hesitant to borrow money from the bank when the town is still without a truck for Pelletier, and that it isn’t fair for him to use his own vehicle in the interim.
“If we buy a brand new loader right now,” Durepo said. “I’m worried that we might be going back and asking for more in mid-winter. That’s my main concern.”
Pelletier said there will always be a need to replace and maintain older equipment if new vehicles aren’t purchased, and that he hopes to utilize a one ton vehicle that was “once an ambulance” for snow plowing by winter so he will not have to use his own vehicle when the snow falls.
“I just want to make sure you’ve got the tools to do your job,” said Durepo.
“There’s next year for that,” said Pelletier.
Officials met again on Monday and approved the warrant for the special town meeting, which will be posted. The board members also agreed to hold their August meetings on the eighth after the Special Town Meeting and on the 22nd at 6:30 p.m. in the town office.
