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Highway superintendent urges conventional replacements; board asks for green‑procurement comparison
Summary
Highway Superintendent Theresa requested authorization to price two replacement pickup trucks (est. $75,550 and $58,000). She argued EV pickups would not meet emergency‑response demands (range and charging under heavy winter/service use), while other board members emphasized the town's green procurement policy and asked for a comparative justification memo before purchase.
Highway Superintendent Theresa told the board she needs to replace two pickup trucks used for emergency response and utility duties and requested authorization to obtain pricing and bring recommendations back. She said some uses (plowing, towing, long hours in winter storms) reduce EV range substantially and that, in her view, current EV pickup/plow options would not equal or exceed the performance and reliability required for emergency operations.
In response, other board members pointed to the town’s green procurement policy and asked Theresa to produce a side‑by‑side comparison of EV and conventional options and a justification memo if she recommends a fossil‑fuel vehicle. Chair noted the town has charging infrastructure and excess green energy at the highway garage, and suggested staff provide models, range examples, and comparisons to similar municipal fleets. Theresa agreed she would not apply for the trucks until she had completed the required comparison and justification.
No purchase was authorized tonight; the board asked staff to return with specifications, range data from recent storms, and procurement documentation to show compliance with policy before any appropriation or bidding.
