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Selectmen weigh new washer/dryer, LED truck lights and budget impacts for fire department
Summary
Selectmen reviewed lower-cost quotes for a gear washer and dryer, considered installation logistics and septic timing, and discussed replacing discontinued truck spotlight units with full LED assemblies; equipment repairs budget sits at roughly 37% spent and members discussed insurance claim options.
The Stoddard Selectmen reviewed updated vendor quotes and operational plans for new laundry equipment intended to clean turnout gear and discussed immediate repair needs for damaged vehicle lights.
Board members said the new washer and a specialized gear dryer now have lower-than-expected price estimates and that the dryer’s throughput was being matched to washer capacity (two gear sets per load). They discussed installing the equipment in a town-owned building with a separate basement entrance but identified practical constraints, including the timing of a required septic inspection and the need to secure stored municipal files if the space is used for gear laundering.
The board also addressed damaged spotlights on a non-red fire department truck after an incident on Whitney Road. Members said replacement of the units will require full LED assemblies because the original parts are discontinued. A planned vehicle lights purchase was estimated at $3,920; the board emphasized buying within the current fiscal year (targeting April) to avoid year-end procurement pressure and to preserve funds for unexpected truck repairs.
On the department’s maintenance budget, the board noted approximately $5,247.29 has been spent of a $14,000 equipment-repair allocation (about 37.48% used). Members discussed the tradeoffs of purchasing now versus reserving funds for potential emergency repairs later in the fiscal year.
Insurance coverage for the damaged lights was raised as an option. The board discussed potentially filing a property-damage claim (possibly through Primex) but said key terms — including deductible size, how depreciation might be applied to replacements, and any filing deadlines — are unclear and need to be confirmed before proceeding.
The selectmen did not make a final purchase at the meeting; next steps included verifying insurance details and scheduling procurement within the current fiscal year window.
