Boscawen weighs $77,000–$126,000 elevator options and a generator reuse for Fire Station

Facilities Director Gary Moore briefed the Select Board on the Town Hall elevator and a transfer-station generator that might be repurposed for the Fire Station.

Moore said the elevator, installed in March 2003, is now about 23 years old and uses proprietary Otis components some of which are obsolete or limited to Otis replacement options. He summarized two cost approaches: buying a hydro enhancer and two door operators separately with an additional hydraulic oil change could cost approximately $92,000 if done piece by piece, while bundling the work could reduce the net to about $77,000. A prior quote from Pine State Elevator to replace the system with non‑proprietary equipment was approximately $126,000.

Moore noted the elevator currently runs comfortably and the Town could either wait until a component fails or plan replacement work in advance. "If the hydro enhancer or door operators failed, the elevator could be out of service for several weeks," Moore said, and the Board discussed meeting relocations and accessibility accommodations if service is interrupted.

Moore also reported the Town owns a 60-kilowatt generator previously used by Comcast (about 600 hours) and that he and Public Works Director Connor Bailey are reviewing whether upgrading that generator would make it suitable for the Fire Station project.

The Select Board took no immediate action and asked staff to continue evaluating costs and operational impacts; they will revisit the item when maintenance calls increase or a failure occurs.