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Richland approves Kioti tractor purchase; superintendent outlines planned $67,000 in road repairs
Summary
The Town Board authorized the highway superintendent to buy a 40-horsepower Kioti tractor and heard plans for a $32,000 guide-rail and $35,000 culvert repair to be funded from CHIPS; the tractor bid was the lowest of four and the board voted to proceed.
Highway Superintendent Kevin Balcom told the Town Board on Jan. 13 that winter operations have consumed substantial materials — 603 buckets of sand, 693 tons of salt and 17,259 plowed miles — and that the department needs vehicle and repair work after recent equipment wear and routine maintenance.
Balcom presented four bids to replace a small tractor included in the budget and recommended a 40-horsepower Kioti, noting it was about $3,000–$6,000 cheaper than other suppliers. The board voted to authorize the purchase after a motion from Councilman Larry Atkinson and a second from Councilwoman Sue Haynes.
Balcom outlined immediate capital projects he wants to fund from CHIPS money (about $357,000 available): a $32,000 box-beam guide rail on Atkinson Road and a $35,000 box culvert repair on Hinman Road. He said the planned work falls under the CHIPS allotment. The town also reported it sold a small tractor for $14,500 and custom-fabricated a new chipper box for Truck 24.
Why this matters: equipment replacement and the planned culvert and guide-rail work affect road safety and winter operations. CHIPS funds are commonly used for such projects, and the superintendent indicated the proposed work fits within available funding.
What happens next: Superintendent Balcom will place the order for the Kioti tractor; highway staff will schedule the guide-rail and culvert repairs subject to final contracting and budgeting.
