New or used dump truck and backhoe to cost up to $160K
LIMESTONE, Maine — Concerned that the town’s dump truck and backhoe may not pass inspection, Limestone Selectpeople held a special town meeting last week to see if voters would accept local money going toward the purchases.
Roughly 30 local residents attended the Oct. 26 meeting in the school auditorium.
According to the warrant, up to $65,000 will go toward the truck and up to $95,000 will be available to purchase the backhoe. The new truck will replace the town’s 1995 Dodge pickup, which requires major bodywork due to the effects of corrosion and basic wear and tear. The town’s current backhoe suffers from similar rust and corrosion issues.
Public Works Director Paul Page was asked to explain why the town needs a new truck.
“We’d have to put about $2,500 in the truck just to make it last one more year,” said Page. “We’re looking for a heavier truck. The one-ton truck we have is not safe to drive and should be replaced. A two-ton truck so you could use a heavier plow, and about 80 percent of our wear and tear comes from plowing snow.”
Initial votes for the truck were too close to call, and a suggestion was made to have a secret ballot. However, when moderator Pat St. Peter called a vote for secret ballot, a member of the audience informed him that, according to “Robert’s Rules of Order,” the town should go straight into secret ballot voting without a vote for approval.
In the end, votes were counted by show of hands, with 17 approving the article and 14 opposed.
Before voting on the backhoe, an audience member asked Page why these Public Works issues were not brought up during the town’s annual meeting.
“The inspection on those vehicles run out this time of year,” said Page, “and at the time we thought we’d be able to get another year out of them.”
“Something should have been brought up before if you knew about these problems,” the resident responded. “My point is that these special town meetings need to stop. The only people who show up are the ones who want to vote for what’s being brought up, and everyone else stays home. If you need these things, then they should be put in the budget. The whole town should be able to decide, instead of a few people at a special town meeting.”
The town ultimately voted in favor of a new or used backhoe, and the meeting adjourned shortly after.
