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Selectboard hears $7,000 grader repair estimate and defers salt purchase to budget review
Summary
Highway Supervisor Allen Wight told the Selectboard the grader needs an exhaust muffler replacement with an estimated cost of about $7,000 and a reconditioned part is available; the board deferred a proposed FY26 supplemental salt purchase pending review of fund-balance implications.
Highway Supervisor Allen Wight told the Selectboard the town's grader experienced emissions-system problems and that Caterpillar's virtual evaluation estimated roughly $7,000 for labor, travel, materials and parts to replace the exhaust muffler. Caterpillar located a reconditioned part that Allen said will save the town "several thousand dollars."
Finance Manager Lucy Pierpont presented preliminary year-end projections and reported the Highway budget, after additional invoices, was now slightly over budget with about two and a half months left in the fiscal year. Allen said the salt shed is essentially empty and warned salt prices for FY27 could be higher; Lucy said Cargill currently has additional salt and the salt budget line is under budget. Town Administrator Nicola Shipman recommended taking time to consider the budget and fund-balance implications rather than approving an immediate FY26 supplemental purchase. The board agreed to bring the salt request back at a future meeting for a final decision.
The discussion combined immediate operational needs—equipment repair and depleted salt stock—with near-term financial constraints. There was no motion to buy supplemental salt at this meeting; the grader repair estimate will be managed through the Highway Department's procurement and repair processes.
