LIVERMORE — On Monday night, the select board awarded a financing bid to Androscoggin Savings Bank for purchasing an excavator to replace the 1995 backhoe that was taken out of service earlier this year.
Voters approved the purchase at this year’s town meeting. The board also approved road foreman Roger Ferland’s recommendation to purchase a Linkbelt machine at the last Board of Selectpersons’ meeting. At that time, the total price was said to be about $120,815. The machine itself cost $92,755, a mulching attachment added $21,000 plus $5,560 for installation and a diverter valve was $1,500. A small additional expense would be incurred for the safety glass needed while the mulcher attachment is in use.
Last night, Ferland said an additional $2,200 will be spent for a quick coupler for the mulching head. The coupler makes changing the head much easier and faster.
Treasurer Amy Byron and Ferland had met with a representative of the dealership in Skowhegan. Byron said they offered 4 percent financing.
The bid received from Androscoggin Savings Bank was for a five-year loan with 2.89 percent interest. The loan will be for about $124,000.
In other business, the board tabled making a decision on adding Rapid Renewal as a service for townspeople. The online vehicle re-registration program with the Department of Motor Vehicles is used by several towns.
Administrative assistant Carrie Castonguay sent a survey to some of the towns that use the program, which the responders recommended. She said the town will lose $3 per registration, or approximately $3,000 per year, but the town will make it up in other projects that can be worked on in its place.
An initial fee of $250 for the TRIO software program would then be followed with a $150 annual fee to help maintain the software. Byron said the fee wasn’t built into this year’s budget.
Selectpersons thought the program was a good one, but had questions about how residents will obtain the stickers to put on their vehicles’ license plates. The board agreed to table discussion until additional information could be obtained.
pharnden@sunmediagroup.net
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