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Brentwood delays front‑end loader purchase; staff to supply fleet inventory and vendor quotes
Summary
Public works staff outlined quotes from John Deere, Volvo and Caterpillar for a replacement front‑end loader; the Select Board asked for scanned proposals, fleet inventory and hours to review before deciding whether to buy new or used and to determine warrant timing.
Brentwood public works staff presented multiple quotes for a replacement front‑end loader and the Select Board postponed a purchase decision until members and staff could review full quotes and fleet data.
Wayne, the highway/public‑works representative, told the board the town’s current loader is about 22 years old and has had repeated repairs and ongoing leaks. He said the loader is used for sand and salt loading, clearing fallen trees, road repair tasks and emergency responses such as opening roads for fire apparatus during storms. "We use it for sand and salt, putting sand and salt load in it," Wayne said, adding the machine is valuable for clearing large trees and assisting emergency services.
Wayne presented a John Deere offer that included a $20,000 trade‑in appraisal for the town’s old machine and quotes for a new or lightly used Deere (new list in the transcript around $179,900 with trade options). He also discussed a Caterpillar quote of about $184,014 without trade and a Volvo quote priced at about $182,028 after a $30,000 trade allowance; Volvo’s quote included a five‑year/2,000‑hour warranty on one option. Wayne said John Deere staff told him certain replacement covers and valves are no longer manufactured for the 22‑year‑old unit and that repair prospects are limited.
Board members asked for more documentation and time to review. Select Board members asked Wayne to provide a full inventory of the town fleet, including years and hours for heavy equipment, and requested scanned copies of all vendor quotes and warranties. The board stated it needs to act quickly if the purchase is to be placed on a warrant for voter approval; staff was asked to provide the requested information before the next meeting to allow the Select Board to discuss the item again.
Wayne said town crews prefer to stay with John Deere if possible but are open to other manufacturers depending on price and terms. The board asked staff to include trade‑in interactions and to contact vendors for clarifying warranty and usage history. No contract or purchase was authorized at the meeting.
