Brentwood Select Board approves plan to buy new John Deere loader, authorizes one-month rental

The Brentwood Select Board voted to move forward with the purchase of a new John Deere front-end loader and approved a month-to-month rental while the town finalizes funding arrangements.

The vote on the purchase followed a presentation from town staff and highway personnel on options considered after a previously discussed used loader was sold. The board agreed to amend the warrant presented at town meeting to $169,005.74 to reflect the actual price of the new machine and a five-year extended warranty; members said they will ask town counsel whether that appropriation can be changed to draw from fund balance at town meeting.

The board also approved an immediate rental of a comparable loader for $4,500 for one month, with 80 percent of the rental credited toward purchase if the town completes a buy. The rental is intended to provide immediate equipment availability for snow removal, brush and tree work, and other highway tasks while the purchase is finalized.

Why it matters: Highway staff said the loader is central to emergency response and routine…