Selectmen approve surplus of Public Works truck after debate over fleet costs

The Waterford Board of Selectmen approved a Public Works request to declare a 2012 International Workstar (fleet asset H35) surplus, after a discussion about fleet replacement timing, vehicle condition and long‑range fiscal planning.

Committee member (Speaker 3) said he was concerned about surplusing a vehicle with roughly 58,000 miles given rising vehicle and software subscription costs, arguing for a temporary freeze and a reassessment of the fleet plan. "I hesitate to endorse stripping a vehicle of 58,000 miles on it…that's in working order right now," he said.

Public Works Director Gary Schneider (Speaker 5) responded that the vehicle has been replaced in the active fleet and that winter salt use has caused corrosion to structural parts, limiting the vehicle’s usefulness. "This is a surplus vehicle... some of those miles are during the winter where there's heavy salt usage. So we're getting corrosion on some of the structural parts of the vehicle," Schneider said. He explained the surplus follows the approved fleet plan and that replacement schedule for larger vehicles is already in capital planning.

The Chair said the purchase history reflects recent heavy spending on large trucks to meet critical needs and that the fleet ad hoc committee (an advisory group including the first selectman, finance director, finance chair and RTM moderator) will review longer‑term policy. One board member indicated he would vote against the surplus; the motion was nevertheless approved by voice vote.

The board directed that fleet planning continue in committee and that the approved surplus be handled per the town’s fleet procedures.