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Council approves $649,335 withdrawal to replace three highway dump trucks
Summary
Merrimack Town Council approved withdrawing $649,335 from the Highway Capital Reserve to buy three replacement 6‑wheel dump trucks with plows and controls, citing the CIP plan and improved vehicle longevity from indoor storage.
The Merrimack Town Council on Aug. 21 approved withdrawing $649,335 from the Highway Capital Reserve Fund to buy three replacement 6‑wheel dump trucks, a purchase the public works director said is part of a long-planned capital improvement program.
Don Tawamala, the town's public works director, told the council the vehicles—budgeted in the CIP at $216,445 each—are the last of an older fleet that had been stored outdoors. ‘‘Now that we can store them inside, we can wash the trucks out…they're gonna last between 12 and 13 years,’’ Tawamala said. He described the purchase as the final phase of a years-long fleet update.
Council members asked about typical service life and whether the town will need similar replacements next year; Tawamala said this purchase completes the current cycle and that future CIP planning will determine timing. Jennifer Jovan moved to approve the withdrawal and authorize the town manager to sign necessary paperwork; Tom Thornton seconded. The council voted 6‑0‑0 to approve the request.
The funding comes from a designated capital reserve the council has used to smooth costs for large equipment; town staff said there is sufficient money in the fund because the purchase had been planned and saved for in prior years' CIP contributions. The trucks will be outfitted with snow‑plows and control systems ahead of the coming winter season.
The council recessed the agenda and moved to the next items after the vote.
