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Nelson officials weigh repairs at Granite Lake, a sidelined brush truck and surplus-equipment bids
Summary
Town staff reported a dry hydrant installation planned for the week of Oct. 7, 2024, a brush truck so old it’s out of service that officials plan to replace at the 2025 Town Meeting, and sealed-bid results for surplus trailers and a compressor were recorded.
Town staff and Select Board members discussed multiple infrastructure and equipment matters at the Aug. 21 Nelson Select Board meeting.
Granite Lake: The Board reviewed an email about ramp damage at the Granite Lake boat landing and learned that lake drawdown in September could provide an opportunity for repairs. Mike Tarr said he would check whether shoreland permitting is required and estimate total cost.
Dry hydrant and fire equipment: J. Sarcione estimated the week of Oct. 7, 2024, as the best time to install a dry hydrant at Granite Lake. Sarcione also reported the department’s brush truck is out of service; because parts are not available and repairs would be costly, he will research a used one-ton flatbed with skid tank and tool cabinets for consideration at the 2025 Town Meeting.
Surplus equipment bids: Sealed bids submitted for surplus items were recorded. The transcript lists apparent winning bids as follows: open trailer — Nike Barret ($360); enclosed water-tank trailer — Mike Tarr ($303); Ingersoll Rand industrial air compressor — Mike Tarr ($85). The Board recorded the bids for disposition; no further formal sale action is recorded in the minutes.
Communications: Loss of Verizon cell service continues to affect the Police and Highway departments. The Board discussed contacting other carriers, such as T-Mobile, which may use the local US Cellular tower. Joseph Filipi is researching a signal booster estimated to cost about $600 to improve service once a carrier is identified; Edie Drinkwater will contact T-Mobile about tower service availability.
Why it matters: Equipment reliability and communications affect emergency response and public safety in a small town; the Board identified funding and procurement planning steps and scheduled the brush-truck replacement to be considered at the 2025 Town Meeting.
Next steps: Staff will check shoreland-permit requirements for Granite Lake repairs, pursue a dry-hydrant installation in early October, research replacement brush-truck options for 2025, and pursue carrier/booster options to restore reliable cell service.
