Selectboard waives bid requirement, approves $6,650 pavement blade after plow failure

The Sharon Selectboard unanimously voted to waive the town's procurement bid requirement and allow an overspend to purchase a $6,650 pavement-specific cutting blade for the Highway Department. Scott Henkels, chair, moved to waive the formal bid process for purchases over $5,000 and allow the Tires and Chains budget line to be overspent to cover the purchase; Kevin Gish seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Allen Wight, the town's Highway Supervisor, told the board the town is experiencing a shortage of road salt and that a pavement-specific blade—designed to cut closer to the surface and into wheel ruts and bridge joints—has been shown in other towns to reduce salt use. Wight said the town's standard blade costs about $3,000 while the proposed cutting blade costs $6,650 and is expected to last roughly five years versus three years for the standard blade. Finance Manager Lucy Pierpont said the Small Equipment Reserve Fund had been used for a trailer purchase and the Tires and Chains line currently holds $5,300, leaving a shortfall that requires the requested overspend. Town Administrator Nicola Shipman told the board that the town's procurement policy typically requires formal bids for purchases over $5,000 and asked the Selectboard to waive that requirement because of the time-sensitive need after a blade failure.