Just in time for snow removal season, Wilton’s Public Works Department is planning to invest in a new loader.
Director Steve Elliott appeared at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Oct. 31 to discuss plans for acquiring and paying for the new piece of equipment, which is necessary to replace parts from a defunct truck. The town has not gotten the loader yet, but will before snowfall.
“If it never snows, we won’t need it,” Elliott said. “So I don’t want to rush this until we need it.”
He said he could get it as soon as is needed, including the option to lease one short-term. This would allow it to be addressed at town meeting in the spring.
“It’s a big ticket item and I think the town ought have some say in it,” Elliott said.
The board was not as hesitant, but liked the lease plan. They elected to pursue a warrant article to purchase the item, but will make plans to lease immediately, which will be paid for out of the general fund and a trade-in.
The town planned to budget $145,000 for such equipment in 2017, and the proposed purchase would only cost $125,000.
A loader is a piece of heavy machinery that can lift or move materials. A pusher is typically attached to a loader to clear snow.
“A pusher is something I’ve always wanted, or course for the parking lots and Main Street,” Elliott said.
The board agreed with his goal.
“We’d like this to get a better clearing job on the downtown area,” Chairman Kermit Williams said.
Brandon Latham can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 228 or blatham@ledgertranscript.com. He is also on Twitter @blathamMLT.