Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Merrimack council approves $327,045 in equipment purchases for highway, communications and solid‑waste operations
Summary
Councilors approved three capital withdrawals to replace a dump truck ($210,945), buy eight Eaton UPS units for radio communications ($41,100.84), and purchase a skid steer ($75,000), citing equipment failures, fleet standardization and safety; all votes were unanimous.
The Merrimack Town Council on June 26 approved three capital withdrawals totaling $327,045 for vehicle and equipment replacements across highway, communications and solid‑waste operations.
Highway division staff asked to withdraw $210,945 from the Highway Capital Reserve Fund to buy a 2025 International chassis and pay for upfitting and plows via the state contract. The presenter said standardizing on International models streamlines maintenance and parts and that using the state contract ensures competitive pricing. “They can build the truck within 3 to 4 months,” the presenter said; with outfitting the truck is expected to be in service around January. The withdrawal was approved and the town manager authorized to sign (5–0–0).
On behalf of the police and fire communication systems, council approved a $41,100.84 withdrawal from the communications capital reserve fund to purchase eight Eaton uninterruptible power supplies (six for the police department and two for South Fire). The police chief told the council the current power distribution units are failing and the Eaton units provide automatic redundancy and a five‑year service guarantee. Council approved the purchase and authorized signatures (5–0–0).
The council also approved a $75,000 withdrawal from the solid waste disposal capital reserve fund to buy a skid steer that staff moved up on the replacement schedule after maintenance estimates for the current unit exceeded $17,000. Staff said similar bids ran $65,000–$75,000 and that special tires required for transfer‑station work increase cost. The purchase was approved and the town manager was authorized to sign (5–0–0).
All three motions carried unanimously. Staff said the purchases follow capital improvement recommendations and will be procured via state contract or public bid where applicable, with trade‑in allowances applied to the truck purchase.
