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Alton purchases replacement generator for Jonesfield pump house after emergency failure
Summary
Town staff reported an emergency purchase of a 100-kilowatt Kohler generator for the Jonesfield pump house after the site’s 20-year-old unit seized; the board had approved the purchase by poll and installation is scheduled this week.
Town staff told the Alton Selectboard on Jan. 14 that the town replaced a failed backup generator at the Jonesfield pump house with a 100-kilowatt Kohler unit after the existing engine seized.
The update came from Water Department staff, who said the old generator—more than 20 years old—could not be repaired and the town had been renting a temporary unit at about $2,800 a month while seeking a replacement. “We were in a situation where we needed to make a replacement,” Water Department staff said.
Town staff said vendors quoting the same size Generac unit reported wait times of about 18 to 26 weeks. A Kohler generator matching the required specifications was located at a distribution center in New York and arrived at 8:00 a.m. the morning of Jan. 14. The purchase price was $36,000, and a local contractor quoted $7,750 for installation and start-up. The town’s board authorized the emergency purchase via a poll before the Selectboard meeting, staff said.
Nut graf: The Selectboard was briefed for transparency rather than to authorize the purchase; staff said the replacement was necessary to avoid interruption of residential water service and fire suppression capacity if the pump house lost power.
Town staff described the timeline: the old generator had been disconnected and removed, propane hookups and regulator work were scheduled the day after the purchase, and final wiring and start-up were planned for Thursday. Staff also said the transfer switch and existing remote-monitoring components were inspected and, pending verification by an electrician, appear compatible with the new generator.
Selectmen asked about warranty and preventive maintenance. Water Department staff said the Kohler’s paperwork indicates multiple warranty components: a manufacturer warranty and extended coverage for the engine and powertrain. Staff also confirmed the town has a contract for regular preventive maintenance on standby generators and that the previous unit had been maintained on schedule; the failure appeared related to aging components and heavy load when pumps run.
Ending: Town staff said they would confirm remote monitoring compatibility and provide any remaining installation paperwork to the Selectboard once complete. No formal Selectboard vote was required because the purchase was made under an emergency decision previously authorized by poll.
