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Milltown approves backhoe purchase to support 2026 road work and culvert replacements
Summary
After hearing that rentals and borrowing have increased costs and caused scheduling challenges, the town voted to buy a backhoe and to authorize the board to select make and model. Officials also outlined crack filling, chip sealing and blacktop projects for 2026 and a grant-funded 2027 blacktop segment.
Resident J. Gary Lilyquist moved and Doug Bergstrom seconded a motion authorizing the Town of Milltown to purchase a backhoe and to give the town board authority to choose the size and specifications. The motion passed by voice vote at the Annual Meeting on April 21, 2026.
The decision followed a presentation by maintenance representative Frank Rau, who said the town has the chip rock and plans for 11 miles of crack fill and 8.5 miles of chip sealing in 2026, plus several blacktop projects including 145th St (a coordinated project with the Village of Luck) and work on 190th Ave, 188th Ave and 170th St. Rau said nine culverts need replacement and that some road segments will be shut down during work. He also reported that the town’s 1-ton truck is in good condition and that the grader shows engine 'blow by,' which would require an in-chassis rebuild or a crate motor at an estimated cost of about $40,000.
Rau and others argued that owning a backhoe would reduce reliance on neighboring Eureka (which currently provides borrowed equipment when available), lower rental and contractor costs and improve scheduling. The minutes record contractor culvert-replacement estimates that start at about $2,000 depending on depth, and an attendee and board member recollected past per-culvert contractor costs averaging $3,000–$5,000. Rental rates for a backhoe were cited at about $4,300–$5,000 per month for up to 135 hours of use; manufacturers' delivery timelines discussed included roughly 60 days for John Deere and a shorter lead time for Caterpillar ("Cat").
The board also noted a grant that will fund blacktopping 190th Ave from Highway 35 to Highway 46 in 2027. No specific purchase price for the backhoe was recorded in the minutes; the motion as approved gives the board authority to select model and size and to proceed with the acquisition.
The board set the 2027 annual meeting for April 20, 2027 and adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
