During the meeting, Dwight Fanton, chair of the Department of Public Works, and Tom Windus, superintendent of highways, described a request to fill the senior sign maker position that became vacant after a recent retirement. Windus said the job carries responsibility for road signs, pavement striping and familiarity with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. He said the department requested an upgrade from grade 13 to grade 15 to reflect those duties.
"They have to know" aspects of the MUTCD and may be called to appear in court, Windus said when explaining the upgrade request. The board approved the request by voice vote.
Commissioners also approved a series of equipment purchases the department said could be funded from savings in the 2025 capital budget. Approved items at the meeting included:
- A trailer‑mounted custom bridge wash unit, not to exceed $27,000 (to be bid because no existing contract/source is available).
- A 2024 Duo Lift fuel hauler trailer from Georgian Sales & Service for $21,625 to replace a failing 2002 fuel truck; staff said the trailer option avoids a commercial driver endorsement and is less expensive than an in‑kind truck replacement.
- Two rear flail mower systems from Montage Enterprises (sourcewell/OGS as applicable).
- A John Deere 5105M utility tractor with flail mowers for $143,001.99.
- A Caterpillar compact track loader (skid steer) with trade‑in, not to exceed $70,000.
- Two 20‑foot flat trailers, total not to exceed $22,000.
Windus said some purchases had been quoted during budget preparation and that savings from other equipment (including a lower‑cost excavator purchase) freed funds to make these buys now. Board members asked procurement questions about bidding and existing vendor sources; Windus said backup documentation and purchase requirements would be followed.
All listed purchases and the sign‑maker personnel request were approved during the meeting by voice votes recorded in the minutes.