New machine may be off table as officials eye cheaper, used option
ERYN DION
TEMPLETON With the summer construction season just around the corner, the town will likely not be purchasing a brand new excavator for the Highway Department with Chapter 90 road funds, as the Board of Selectmen voted Monday night to have Highway Superintendent Bud Chase stick with his old machine while exploring the possibility of buying a used vehicle at a lower cost.
“Whatever the board wants, I’ll do,” Mr. Chase said before the vote.
Residents defeated a Proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion at the polls in May, and since that vote Mr. Chase has turned to selectmen for direction. The problem, he explained, has not gone away and the 26-year-old machine has started to show its age.
“It’s been a great machine for the town and it’s saved the town a lot of money,” he said. More than $24,000 has been spent on the current excavator in repairs, Mr. Chase said, with most of that being spent in the last several years as parts have become obsolete and hard to find. The machine rolls out of the highway barn almost every day in the spring, summer and fall, and has been used for almost every town road project since its purchase, with the exception of the recent Route 101 milling and paving.
A new machine would cost about $218,000 after trading in the old excavator, valued at about $14,500, and the funds would come out of the town’s Chapter 90 road aid account. With $130,000 already committed to the first phase of the Royalston Road project, and another $82,000 already spent on Route 101, selectmen were unwilling to dip any deeper into that account and endanger any road improvement projects planned for the summer. However, they agreed the issue would need to be addressed.
In laying out the options, interim Town Administrator Bob Markel explained that the town could keep its current excavator — which is leaking hydraulic fluid and will likely need to be taken apart and rebuilt — for another year, search for a used vehicle, or purchase a new one using a combination of Chapter 90 funds and free cash (leftover funds from the previous year), which is expected to be certified at the beginning of next year.
“There are no good options here,” Mr. Markel said.
While the town could enter a five-year lease with Chapter 90 funds and pay the rest with free cash to limit some costs, the entire amount would need to be committed up front and returned to the Chapter 90 account only when the lease is paid through free cash next year.
Mr. Chase said he had looked at used vehicles as a possibility and found most were located in other parts of the country and would need to be shipped back to Templeton for a few thousand dollars.
“We can’t buy new,” said Selectman Diane Haley Brooks in support of seeking used equipment.
Ms. Brooks made a motion instructing Mr. Chase to continue his search for a used excavator and restricting the amount of money to be expended on the current machine. Originally, Ms. Brooks asked that no money be spent on repairs to the excavator, but she later amended her motion, leaving repairs up to Mr. Chase’s discretion.
I have a question for those who may be familiar with municipal road work. My question is about this excerpt from the above story:
ReplyDelete" ...and has been used for almost every town road project since its purchase, with the exception of the recent Route 101 milling and paving."
Here is my question: Does Templeton prepare the road bed when roads are being repaved? The way the above reads, it would seem to indicate that it is. Otherwise, why would the contractor provide any necessary excavation?
If it is used, my question would be: Does that not cloud responsibility for good workmanship between the Templeton Highway Department and the paid contractor?
I doubt the state gets out there with a state owned excavator and state employed operator when the state is reconstructing a road or highway.
Mark, that is a good question and perhaps a good place to start would be the bids for the work, to see how and what was bid, to ensure the Town is not paying for work that the highway is actually doing. And as you ask, if there is a mix, who would be held responsible for a future issue. I also believe if you check, most if not all the work state does is maintenance, with the building, rebuilding, (repair or replace) is done by contract, that way, when or if something fails, contractor fixes it for free, of course this is Massachusetts, so maybe not. Again, a place to look is bid and the invoices to see what was paid for.
ReplyDeleteJeff - my question is somewhat rhetorical, but I guess if the justification to have an excavator is that it is used on "every town road project", the question becomes "What if the bid specs did not include a town excavator and operator?" I have followed the back and forth on this excavator issue, and I think I have seen references that indicate not every town or city even has an excavator. I would imagine that we can easily find many roads that need repair, so that is one possible use for Chapter 90 money. Possibly better than buying yet another vehicle for "the fleet" that will need maintenance. How do cities and towns without an excavator make do? I've seen road work in Gardner being done with a backhoe. I've seen opinions on this blog that claim that is the appropriate machine for Templeton Highway. If the most compelling justification for the excavator is road reconstruction, I would ask why other towns don't have excavators, and how much does the town save if they prepare roads for reconstruction? The lower cost of the bid would be offset by the cost of operating this heavy equipment. Fuel, labor, maintenance of the excavator etc.
DeleteIf the town does not prepare the roads for reconstruction, then the above statement from The Gardner House of Corrections would require correction or clarification.
Hi, blogger!!! It's disheartening to hear that the excavator plans have hit a roadblock. Construction projects often encounter unforeseen challenges, and it's unfortunate when they disrupt progress. However, setbacks are a natural part of any complex undertaking, and it's crucial to address them with resilience and adaptability. In situations like these, it's important for the project team to remain proactive and find viable solutions to overcome the obstacles. Whether it's technical issues, permitting delays, or logistical complications, a thorough assessment of the situation can help identify the root cause and determine the best course of action. If any one is looking for Excavator Machine for Sale the Boom & Bucket can help you guys do visit them.
ReplyDeleteIt is disappointing to see that the plans for the excavator have run into trouble. Unexpected obstacles frequently arise in construction projects, and it is sad when they stop work in its tracks. Any complex project will inevitably experience setbacks, therefore it's important to respond to them with resiliency and adaptation. The project team must remain proactive in these circumstances and come up with workable ways to get over the challenges. A detailed analysis of the situation can assist in identifying the underlying cause and choosing the best line of action, whether it be due to technical problems, permitting bottlenecks, or logistical difficulties. Cássio Cunha Lima
ReplyDeleteConstruction projects play a crucial role in development, and any delays can have ripple effects. I hope the issues are resolved swiftly so that progress can resume, and the community can benefit from the planned improvements. Patience is key in such situations, but it's always frustrating when unforeseen obstacles arise. Wishing the team involved the best in overcoming these challenges! 🚧🛠️ To know more click here
ReplyDeleteNyc read! Roadblocks can be frustrating, but I hope they manage to clear this one quickly and get those excavator plans back on track. Keep pushing forward! 💪💡To know more click here
ReplyDeleteThank you for your hard work and dedication to delivering quality content. I look forward to reading more of your insightful articles in the future.Beatriz Barata
ReplyDeleteThis blog post offers an insightful look into the ongoing debate surrounding the Templeton Highway Department's excavator issue. It highlights the town's struggles with funding and maintenance costs while weighing the pros and cons of purchasing new or used equipment. The author does a great job of presenting the complexities of municipal decision-making and the challenges of balancing budgetary constraints with essential services. It's an informative read for anyone interested in how local governments navigate infrastructure and equipment challenges. Great job, Paul, on shedding light on this situation! Global Talent Pathway
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