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Ellsworth approves $289,500 emergency plow-truck purchase after winter rollover
Summary
Following a plow-truck rollover that totaled a 2015 vehicle, the council authorized purchase of a fully outfitted replacement in Bangor for $289,500 to be financed over five years, citing immediate operational and safety needs; council also directed fleet-safety improvements (studded chains/tires) and staff to pursue budgeting for future readiness.
The Ellsworth City Council on Jan. 20 authorized an emergency purchase of a fully outfitted plow truck to replace a vehicle that rolled over during winter operations and was declared a total loss.
Public Works staff reported the rollover of a 2015 plow truck during a sanding operation on a hilly dirt road; the driver was not seriously injured. Staff said there was no suitable spare in the fleet that could be brought quickly into service, and lead times to order and upfit a new chassis are typically several months. Staff found a ready-to-go, fully outfitted truck at Freightliner of Maine in Bangor for $289,500 and recommended immediate purchase and local financing.
Public Works and finance staff proposed financing the truck over five years through a local bank, with an annual payment of about $65,768 and the first payment deferred until July 1, 2026; the purchase would be funded initially from capital reserves and reimbursed in part by insurance proceeds. Councilors asked about alternatives (using a motor grader, RFP timing, used vehicles), safety measures, and spare-equipment readiness. Several councilors urged prudence but agreed staff could not safely operate the fleet at current staffing/fleet levels without the replacement.
Councilors also raised operational safety measures: installing studded ‘‘Trig’’ chains and regular November winter tire upgrades on plow trucks to reduce rollover risk, and ensuring spares and inspection processes are maintained. After debate about procurement timing versus crew safety, the council voted to authorize the purchase and finance agreement and directed staff to include tire-chain and winter-tire upgrades in upcoming budget planning.
The motion authorized the city manager to execute purchase and financing agreements for the Freightliner unit at $289,500, financed for five years with the first payment deferred, and recognized that insurance proceeds would reimburse capital reserves when received.
