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Rutland board raises highway depreciation and authorizes highway director to begin plow‑truck procurement
Summary
The select board voted to raise the highway depreciation rate from 0.5% to 1% to accelerate equipment replacement and authorized the highway director to begin procurement steps for a new plow truck amid 12–14 month lead time estimates.
At its Dec. 10 budget meeting the Town of Rutland Select Board approved a motion to increase the highway depreciation account from 0.5% to 1.0% of assessed value. Board members said the change will increase annual depreciation receipts and speed replacement of aging highway equipment and trucks.
Highway Director Dave presented replacement cost estimates, saying a seven‑yard plow truck would run roughly $238,000 and a loader about $250,000; he discussed lease‑to‑own options with guaranteed buyback values that could shorten the town’s peak capital need. Members discussed staggering replacements, use of carryover funds, and the relative merits of saving versus financing to avoid near‑term interest costs.
To address long lead times for new plow trucks (estimated 12–14 months), the board also authorized Dave to begin procurement work — researching state bids, requesting numbers and initiating vendor conversations — while reserving final purchase approval for a future meeting once prices are confirmed.
The depreciation increase and the procurement authorization were both approved by voice vote (4–0, 1 absent). The board directed staff to prepare program language and timing for the depreciation change on the warning and to bring firm pricing and procurement options back to the board prior to final purchasing decisions.
What happens next: the highway depreciation wording will be refined and included in voter materials; procurement work will produce cost estimates and potential financing options for board review.
