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Highway foreman urges larger equipment fund contribution to avoid bonding
Summary
Highway Foreman Mike Spackman proposed increasing the annual Equipment Fund contribution from $215,000 to $250,000, citing soaring vehicle replacement costs including a 10-wheel dump truck that rose from $131,530 in 2021 to about $205,602 in 2025.
Highway Foreman Mike Spackman told the Selectboard on Jan. 5 that equipment costs have risen sharply and recommended increasing the town's annual contribution to the Equipment Fund from $215,000 to $250,000 to avoid the need to issue bonds for vehicle replacements.
Spackman cited the example of a 10-wheel dump truck whose net cost after trade-in rose from $131,530 in 2021 to roughly $205,602 in 2025. "We should increase the annual contribution to the Equipment Fund from $215,000.00 to $250,000.00 to ensure that the Town of West Windsor will not have to take out a bond and pay the related interest when it comes time to replace future vehicles," he said.
Board members discussed capital planning and the trade-offs between raising annual contributions, using reserves, or issuing bonds when replacement timing comes. No formal vote occurred; the item remains part of ongoing budget deliberations.
