Alton approves lease/purchase of roll-off truck, defers payments to 2026 to cover operating costs

The Alton Board of Selectmen voted May 13 to authorize the public works director to enter a lease-purchase agreement for a 2025 roll-off truck to be used in the town’s solid-waste operation.

Public Works Director Seth reviewed the department’s analysis showing hauling fees under the existing waste-management contract exceeded the cost of leasing or operating a new roll-off truck. The board approved terms that include a total vehicle cost of $286,515, a recommended five-year, 250,000‑mile extended warranty, and an option to defer initial payment to December 2026 so the town can use existing transportation-line funds to cover near-term fuel and operating costs.

Seth said the truck is already built and available but is located in Kansas City; the town may pay an estimated $4,200 to transport it to the region. He estimated the truck would run about 30,000 miles per year at roughly 6 miles per gallon and that fuel for the remainder of the year would be roughly $6,900 at current fuel costs. The town found a favorable lease quote from Franklin Savings at about 4.75% interest and identified Ballard MAC in Manchester as the local service/warranty agent for the Mack-based vehicle.

Selectmen discussed logistics including a driver already employed by the town who expressed interest in operating the vehicle, on-site upfitting (CB radio, lettering), and contingency plans: if the truck is in warranty service, the town would use the waste-hauler as an emergency backup at the vendor’s rates.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the purchase/lease agreement, to include the extended warranty and to permit the town administrator (Ryan Heath) to sign the contract. The motion passed on voice vote.