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Council authorizes up to $100,000 to replace aging chipper after safety and capacity review
Summary
After staff described repeated repairs and capacity limits on the town's aging chipper, council authorized purchase of a new, higher-capacity unit with improved safety features (winch, multiple stop bars) and a budget cap of $100,000.
Council authorized the purchase of a new municipal chipper for up to $100,000 after staff said the town's existing chipper has experienced major repairs and capacity limitations. Public Works Director UJ Kem explained replacement options, repair costs and use patterns; operations lead Mike Scholetter described modern safety features that differ from the older unit, including a winch to lift large limbs onto the feed deck and multiple emergency stop bars around the feeder system.
Council members who raised safety and operational concerns urged buying a new unit rather than seeking short-term rental arrangements. One council member said rentals take staff time to pick up and return and that having a town-owned, higher-capacity unit will support ongoing wildfire-mitigation work. After public comment supportive of staff and operations, a motion to authorize purchase up to $100,000 passed on roll call.
Action: The council authorized the purchase of a chipper up to $100,000; staff will proceed with procurement and return any vendor award documentation as required by town purchasing rules.
