Plaistow selectmen approve seven-year lease to replace two failing highway trucks

The Plaistow Board of Selectmen voted April 13 to authorize the town manager to sign a seven-year lease-purchase agreement for two highway trucks, with an annual payment ceiling the board capped at $105,000.

Town highway staff told the board the town’s current replacement candidates — a 2010 and a 2016 International plow truck — have required repeated, costly repairs and are unreliable. Dana, a highway staff member who explained the mechanical issues, said repairers suspect internal EGR/cooler leaks on one truck and possible injector or head damage on the other. “We already invested what $15,000 plus or minus into a turbo and an air cooler,” Dana said, adding that opening engines can reveal additional damage that would substantially raise repair costs.

Why it matters: staff estimated repairs could range from roughly $30,000 up to $45,000 for some jobs and that the 2016 could require more extensive work that approaches six figures if deeper engine damage is found. Board members argued those repair costs, combined with ongoing reliability risks during winter storms, made leasing new trucks a better fiscal and operational choice.

Board members described financing constraints and trade-offs. The town’s highway equipment capital reserve holds approximately $180,000, which could cover initial lease payments, but outright purchase of two trucks would cost an estimated $626,000 — beyond available cash. Selectmen noted a 2021 state law clarification allowing capital-reserve funds to be used for lease or debt payments for intended equipment; the board said legal counsel and the Department of Revenue Administration were consulted to confirm that use.

Vendor and technical details: staff said the town sought turnkey trucks from Howard P. Fairfield (an Alamo-owned vendor) that would be available in roughly 90–120 days; the trucks would use Detroit DD13 engines because the previously used Cummins engines are no longer available. Staff also warned that upcoming regulatory changes (a possible Tier 5 emissions standard in 2027–28) could increase future costs and lead times for special orders.

On the motion and disposition of old units: a selectman moved that the town manager sign the seven-year lease with an annual payment not to exceed $105,000; the motion was seconded and the board approved it (the transcript does not show a clear numeric roll-call tally for that vote). The board added a caveat to attempt private sale of the two retired trucks (rather than auction) and to remove and sell usable parts when practical.

What the board said: Selectman Jay D. Ro argued against pouring more money into aging trucks: “I don’t want to spend even $25,000 to put into it. It’s throwing good money at bad.” Vice Chair Bill Koy and others supported leasing as a way to reduce emergency outages and to improve summer versatility (shoulder gravel work) with newer equipment.

Next steps: staff will pursue the lease contract consistent with the board’s authorization, seek competitive quotes to confirm pricing, and attempt a private sale of the two retired trucks. The lease-purchase terms described include a seven-year payment schedule with a nominal final buyout; warranty coverage cited in the meeting included multi-year engine and chassis protections.

Action on record: the board’s authorization to proceed with the seven-year lease-purchase is recorded in the meeting minutes; the transcript documents motion and approval language but does not provide a clear numerical vote tally for public reporting.