Salem Township supervisors set tractor specifications, authorize public bid ads

The Salem Township Board of Supervisors on Feb. 11 unanimously approved minimum specifications for a tractor purchase and authorized public advertisements to solicit bids.

The board approved a motion by Bob Zundel, seconded by Todd Paulich, that sets the procurement specifications to require a tractor no older than 2008, equipped with a boom mower, with at least 105 horsepower, fewer than 5,000 hours of use, documented service records, and immediate availability for use. During discussion, Supervisor Todd Paulich said the board would prefer “to buy a brand-new tractor with a boom mower but it's not in the budget this year.” Zundel, Paulich and Supervisor Kerry Jobe voted in favor and the motion passed unanimously.

The board then approved a separate motion by Zundel, seconded by Paulich, to publish the bid advertisement in the Penn Franklin newspaper on Feb. 16 and Feb. 23, 2026, to meet advertising requirements. The advertisement will solicit bids for a tractor meeting the approved specifications. Bids are scheduled to be opened on March 5, 2026, and the board plans to award the contract at its public supervisors meeting on March 18, 2026. The motion passed unanimously with Jobe, Zundel and Paulich voting in favor.

At the conclusion of the special meeting, Supervisor Todd Paulich moved, and Bob Zundel seconded, to adjourn. The board set a public hearing for Feb. 18, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m., both at the Salem Township Municipal Building. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m. The minutes were respectfully submitted by Secretary Kelly Kellyoth Otto.

The actions leave the township with an open procurement window: interested sellers will have until the March 5 opening to submit bids under the stated specifications, and the award decision will be made at the March 18 public meeting.