WOODLAND, Maine — Woodland officials voted Dec. 27 not to purchase a 2004 plow truck to replace the town’s current 2009 truck. The 2004 vehicle, while older, has higher fuel efficiency, a higher quality motor, and is generally safer than the town’s current, newer, vehicle, according to town officials.
Selectman Will Barnum abstained from voting on the matter, and began the meeting by apologizing for his actions during the Nov. 26 meeting. According to the minutes of that meeting, Selectman Tom Drew discovered that Barnum had told Highway Commissioner Chris Fournier to bring the 2004 vehicle to the town for public works employees to try out before making a purchase.
Selectman Tom Drew, according to the minutes, was not previously aware of this, and stated that it takes more than one board member to make a decision, adding that he felt Barnum’s actions derailed the board’s normal process.
Barnum, according to the meeting minutes, recused himself from the Nov. 26 meeting before Selectman Carl Grant voted to table the discussion.
On Dec. 27, both Grant and Drew voted to move against purchasing the older truck while Barnum abstained.
“I would like to see us get our budget under control,” Drew said, “and I would like to see us buy a newer truck, and not an older one. Let’s study the budget and see where we fall.”
