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Select board approves $69,140 purchase for second skid steer and rock bucket at recycling center
Summary
The select board authorized $69,140 from the recycling center capital reserve to buy a second Bobcat skid steer and an 82‑inch rock bucket; DPW staff said a second machine will reduce rental costs, improve throughput and allow additional operator training.
The Swansea Select Board authorized town staff to purchase a second Bobcat skid steer and an 82‑inch rock bucket for the recycling center, approving $69,140 to come from the recycling center capital reserve fund.
DPW representative Josh Whipple told the board the new machine is the same model as the town's current 2022 Bobcat and would cost approximately $66,000 after a municipal discount and include four solid tires; the rock bucket price was quoted at $3,140, bringing the grand total to about $69,140. Josh said the existing machine has logged about 3,020 hours since 2022 and that downtime for maintenance or unexpected failures creates rental costs and schedule delays.
Justifications offered by staff included: reducing rental costs during machine downtime, lengthening equipment lifespan by sharing hours between two machines, enabling simultaneous staging and loading of shipments to expedite hauls, and allowing training for additional operators. Josh said Bobcat has been responsive on maintenance and parts, and that parts interchangeability would simplify upkeep because both machines would be the same model.
A board member moved to authorize the purchase from the recycling center capital reserve; a second followed and the board approved the purchase by voice vote. The capital reserve balance reported at the meeting was $131,880.93; Josh said the purchase would keep the fund within overall CIP expectations for the next year and leave room for other planned items.
Follow-up: staff will complete procurement paperwork and coordinate delivery; Josh said the quoted machine was in stock and delivery would be scheduled once paperwork and signatures are complete.
