Selectmen weigh repairing aging backhoe vs. buying new: quotes, warranties and maintenance concerns raised

Selectmen spent a substantive portion of the Feb. 9 meeting discussing whether to repair a corroded town backhoe or to acquire a replacement.

Water and Sewer Supervisor Chuck Tiffany described extensive corrosion around frame sidewalls and axle mounts due to salt/dirt accumulation. "If it's going to be repaired what the repair would look like… it would be cut out the rust in the 2 sections, patch it," Charlie King summarized after inspecting the machine. Tiffany said dealer Beauregard offered a new replacement with warranty at $169,500 (he contrasted that with a quoted list price "about $225,000").

Selectmen debated repair cost versus replacement value and longer-term maintenance accountability. "My concern is have we turned the tables to where we're going to buy something and adequately take care of it," King said, arguing maintenance practices must change to protect new equipment. Chairman Gerry Vachon said he accepted the need for a backhoe but questioned some of the justifications presented for purchase; the board requested multiple quotes for both repairs and replacement options, including used equipment alternatives.

Tiffany agreed to obtain additional quotes (repair shop estimates, dealer trade-in or new machine pricing) and recommended the board consider a newer wheeled machine or a properly specified backhoe for town needs. No purchase decision was made.

Next steps: Tiffany to gather repair cost estimates and 2–3 replacement quotes (new and used) and present them at a future meeting for a formal decision.