HOULTON, Maine — The Public Works Department will begin saving up for additional equipment needs now that it has received approval from town councilors.
During the Town Council’s half-hour meeting on Dec. 26, Chris Stewart, superintendent of the department, reminded councilors that back on Oct. 9, they agreed to waive the bid process and allow Stewart to spend up to $120,000 from the surplus account to buy two dump trucks.
The funding was needed, he said, as the department’s two 1995 Ford dump trucks had frames that were rusted so badly they would no longer pass inspection.
On Wednesday evening, Stewart said there was $5,817 left over from the $120,000 after he bought the dump trucks and that he would like to transfer that sum to an equipment account that he could use for future equipment purchases. At this point, he said, he hopes to eventually save up to acquire a forklift.
Councilor Raymond Jay questioned Stewart about the need for such a machine.
“There is a lot of equipment in the garage that has to be moved around,” said Stewart. “For example, we use it to bring wing blades and plow blades inside, as they are pretty heavy.”
Jay questioned Stewart about possibly using an existing front end loader or backhoe to do the job instead, but Stewart said it wasn’t always possible.
“You could do it with the front end loader, but you can’t run the bucket inside,” he said.
He added that the mechanics also needed a forklift because there was no chain lift system inside the mechanic’s bay.
Town officials also noted that the Millar Civic Center does not own a forklift, so is forced to rent one when it is required.
Stewart said that if his department was able to acquire one and was able to find a way to transport it, the forklift could be shared and used at the civic center and also at other town buildings.
He said that he had been looking at several sites online, and estimated that he would need between $5,000 and $10,000 to buy an adequate forklift.
The councilors gave him the go ahead to start saving.
