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Select Board waives bid and advances planned truck purchase; separate tariff dispute delays another vehicle
Summary
The board voted to waive local bidding and move a planned 2027 International truck purchase to public hearing; members also discussed a separate truck completed but held at the Canadian border amid a tariff dispute that has forced the town to rent a truck and incur additional costs.
The Pembroke Select Board on June 1 approved waiving local bid requirements and agreed to schedule a public hearing on a planned purchase of a 2027 International chassis through the state contract, with outfitting to follow via Viking. Public works staff said using the state award avoids a separate local bidding process; the chassis price cited in the discussion was $137,950, and staff said the capital plan includes funding for the replacement.
Public works described the outfitting plan (hook-lift capability, spreader and dump body options) and delivery schedule: chassis delivery of roughly 3–6 months and outfitting that could push the truck into service in late 2027. Staff said the capital reserve already budgets for the vehicle and that a future public hearing will be required to remove funds.
Separately, staff informed the board that a previously ordered truck that traveled from Mexico to Canada and back is complete but held at the Canadian border while a tariff/dispute over who is responsible for retroactive tariffs remains unresolved. The town has paid for the chassis (the meeting referenced a $210,000 payment) and is renting a truck while the dispute continues; rental costs cited in the discussion were about $10,000 per month for the replacement vehicle. Board members instructed staff to document all extra costs incurred and to pursue reimbursement or legal remedies once delivery and liability are clearer.
The vote to waive the bid requirement was made by a board member, seconded by town staff, and carried by voice vote. Staff will bring the spending authorization back at a public hearing with full cost details, including trade‑in and final outfitting costs.
