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Benson commissioners approve appointments, vehicle lease, grant resolution and fire engine repair
Summary
At the July 25 meeting the Town of Benson Board of Commissioners approved advisory-board appointments, a three-vehicle police lease, Resolution 252-2024 to process a Department of Commerce building reuse grant as a pass-through for Chicopee, LLC, and a $53,670.36 repair to Fire Engine 2.
The Town of Benson Board of Commissioners on July 25 voted unanimously on a package of routine governance and equipment items, approving advisory-board appointments, a fleet lease for the police department, a building-reuse grant resolution and a costly repair for Fire Engine 2.
Commissioner Max Raynor moved to appoint Dawn Pilkington to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board and Robert Pilkington to the Planning Board (ETJ); both motions passed 5-0. Town Clerk Angie Thornton later announced current vacancies on other advisory boards.
Assistant Town Manager Calla Godwin presented a lease for three 2025 Dodge Durango police vehicles through Enterprise Fleet Management at an annual price of $9,873.24 per vehicle (about $822.77 per month). Commissioner Maxine Holley moved approval; the board voted 5-0. Godwin said sale of the replaced vehicles is expected to offset upfit costs.
Town Manager Kimberly Pickett introduced Resolution 252-2024, a Department of Commerce Building Reuse Grants Program award that would create jobs at Chicopee, LLC. Pickett said the town would be a pass-through for the grant and would not actually pay the 5% local share. Commissioner Dean McLamb moved to adopt the resolution; the vote was 5-0.
Staff reported Fire Engine 2 required a rebuilt or turnkey motor; Peterbilt and Cummins negotiated a turnkey motor and turbo with a two-year warranty. The total cost is $53,670.36. Commissioner Will Chandler moved to approve the repair and the board approved the expenditure 5-0.
Votes at a glance: - Approve agenda as presented — Motion by Commissioner Maxine Holley; outcome: approved, vote 5-0 (SEG 010–011). - Consent agenda (prior meeting minutes) — Motion by Commissioner Dean McLamb; outcome: approved, vote 5-0 (SEG 016–018). - Appoint Dawn Pilkington (Parks & Rec) and Robert Pilkington (Planning Board ETJ) — Motions by Commissioner Max Raynor; outcomes: approved, vote 5-0 (SEG 037–043). - Close Project E-MRF-W-21-0045 (regionalization study) — Motion by Commissioner Will Chandler; outcome: approved, vote 5-0 (SEG 044–046). - Lease three police vehicles (Enterprise Fleet Management) — Motion by Commissioner Maxine Holley; outcome: approved, vote 5-0 (SEG 047–049). - Adopt Resolution 252-2024 (Building Reuse Grants Program) — Motion by Commissioner Dean McLamb; outcome: approved, vote 5-0 (SEG 050–053). - Approve repair of Fire Engine 2 ($53,670.36) — Motion by Commissioner Will Chandler; outcome: approved, vote 5-0 (SEG 054–056). - Adjourn — Motion by Commissioner Maxine Holley; outcome: approved, vote 5-0 (SEG 075).
The board did not specify individual roll-call votes; all recorded motions passed unanimously by the five commissioners present. The meeting record notes Commissioner William Neighbors was absent. The board requested staff to follow up on administrative details where applicable (upfit-sale plans for replaced vehicles; conditions for project closeouts).
