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Select Board places placeholder warrant for front‑end loader after extensive repair debate
Summary
After lengthy public and staff discussion about repair vs. replacement, the board agreed to place a purchase warrant for a front‑end loader (up to $190,000) on the town warrant and leave the option to withdraw or table the article before Town Meeting.
The Brentwood Select Board agreed on Jan. 28 to place a placeholder warrant article asking voters to authorize up to $190,000 for purchase of a front‑end loader, after extended discussion about whether to repair a 2003 loader or buy a new machine.
Public works staff member Wayne and several residents described the loader’s history, the parts shortages and repair options. Wayne told the board the loader is a 2003 model with about 6,000 hours, and that one critical assembly has limited availability; he estimated repair quotes ranging from roughly $10,000 to $16,000 in parts and labor in some vendor scenarios, while full replacement quotes for new machines were in the $170,000–$182,000 range.
Board members considered three paths: (1) repair the existing loader if a cost‑effective local repair could be arranged; (2) place a purchase warrant for a new machine; or (3) pursue a lease option. After discussion the board directed staff to prepare a purchase warrant as a placeholder — language authorizing purchase up to $190,000 — and said the article could be withdrawn or tabled later if the repair proved feasible.
Select Board members and residents raised practical concerns about buying a modern loader that sits for long periods: newer machines can require different maintenance regimes and are more vulnerable to after‑treatment clogging if left idling. Board members also discussed potential trade‑in value; they noted that trade offers on a non‑operational loader were as low as $20,000 in one dealer visit. Several residents offered to help locate independent repair shops and parts suppliers.
The board voted to add the purchase warrant (up to $190,000) to the draft warrant. The purchase placeholder passed with the majority of board members voting in favor and one member recorded as abstaining. The board asked staff to continue to explore local repair, aftermarket parts and leasing language and said it may present a revised article or withdraw the placeholder before Town Meeting.
If the repair proves feasible before warrant finalization, the board indicated it would remove the warrant or table it at Town Meeting.
