Shelton approves up-to-$100,000 appropriation to buy used mini excavator and other public-works equipment

The City of Shelton voted to waive the formal bidding process and approve an appropriation of up to $100,000 for the purchase of a used mini excavator and, if the excavator is not available, other public-works equipment. Funding was approved to come from automatic bonding pursuant to Section 7.16 of the City Charter.

During discussion a staff speaker described a currently owned excavator that experienced an internal gearbox failure and mechanical contamination; the speaker said a dealer estimated repairs at $44,000. "We got an estimate to have it repaired from a dealer, and it was $44,000," the staff speaker said, arguing that acquiring a functioning used machine would be a better use of funds and that an additional unit would improve operations at the transfer station and for street openings.

A council member proposed amending the original $69,000 purchase amount to $100,000 to allow flexibility to buy other needed machines or trucks if the excavator proved unavailable. The amendment passed and the main motion, as amended, carried. Councilors discussed that new heavy equipment costs have risen significantly; the meeting record notes examples including $450,000 for a modern automated recycling truck and $140,000 for a school bus in recent procurements.

The motion authorizes the finance director to waive the bidding process and use automatic bonding under the charter; staff said the added flexibility will allow the public-works department to respond to equipment failures and storm cleanup work more quickly.