SABATTUS — Selectmen on Tuesday unanimously agreed to accept O’Connor GMC of Augusta’s bid of $88,816 for the lease-purchase of a 2016 Western Star 4700SF cab and chassis for use as a dump truck.
The price is within the town’s allocated budget, approved by voters in May, according to Road Foreman Gary Labonte. The truck has a diesel-powered engine and an automatic transmission.
Bids will be sent out to determine the most economical way to equip the truck with a plow and rigging. Labonte estimates that the truck will be in use by March or April 2016.
The town received a 2015 Dodge Charger police cruiser, which is being prepared for use. The cage separating the front and back seats is on back order. This purchase was approved by voters as part of the fiscal year 2015-2016 town budget.
The town also approved the purchase of a new firetruck for fiscal year 2015-2016. The fire chief is expected to present details on this purchase at the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Sabattus Town Hal.
In other news, the board is in negotiations with the town of Lisbon regarding their shared use of code enforcement services by Dennis Douglass. The contract for this position with Lisbon is being discussed, but the board is adamant to keep Douglass serving the citizens of Sabattus in code enforcement, among other duties.
The board unanimously agreed to have Interim Town Manager Tony Ward create a contract for Douglass, naming him stormwater coordinator and health/safety officer of Sabattus. The contract will be discussed at the next selectmen’s meeting.
Selectman Jeff Baril, head of the town manager search committee, is expected to contact all members of the committee to schedule the first meeting for either Tuesday or Thursday next week.
George Merrill, director of emergency management for Sabattus, resigned his post effective immediately. Selectmen Jeff Baril and Andre Marquis offered their knowledge and assistance to help fill this role until a new director is found.
The Public Works crew has been working on replacing culverts along a stretch of Lisbon Road to prepare it for paving. Citizens have complained that the road surfaces are bumpy in some areas. Labonte plans to smooth and flatten these surfaces after the materials have settled a bit. Paving is expected to take place in early October.
A new fee structure for discarding bulky waste at the Sabattus Transfer Station will soon be in place. Bulky waste includes items such as furniture, tires and electronics.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
