VAN BUREN, Maine – Van Buren Town Council on Wednesday voted to spend up $45,000 to repair its 2009 International snow plow, which has recently had mechanical problems.
Highway Department Director Rick Sirois provided the council with more details about the truck’s condition. He said the truck began stalling roughly six weeks ago. It was taken to a mechanic, who discovered a fuel tank leak and a sensor issue that cost roughly $9,000 to repair.
The truck ran during the next snow storm, but after it was brought back into the town garage it began making a ticking noise.
After another inspection, Sirois said a mechanic found that the issues are due to a c-clip or pin that moves the crankshaft up and down coming off and falling either in the engine or between the pistons and causing engine damage.
The estimate for a factory remanufacturing job given to the town by Allegiance Trucks in Fort Kent was $37,318, and it will come with a two-year warranty on major components and a one-year warranty on the fuel system.
Town Manager Luke Dyer said Sirois has attested to the truck’s quality and durability, and that when it does go out of service as a plow truck it will be used as a snow hauling vehicle.
The council agreed that, looking ahead, it would be good to continue setting money aside in Capital Improvement Plan accounts in case good deals for used vehicles come up, especially when it is time to replace the snow plow.
“You can look and look and nothing’s there, and then all of a sudden you’re looking nonchalantly and there it is,” said Councilor Peter Madore. “And if you don’t buy it, somebody else will buy it. So you’ve got to jump on it right away.”
Madore recently found a used $50,000 fire truck via a used equipment supplier, which he said would have likely cost the town between $750,000 and one million dollars if it were purchased new.
Council Chair John Beaulieu said he agreed wholeheartedly.
“We’re headed down the right path,” Beaulieu said. “We’re doing a good job with the equipment now, and I think as long as we maintain that, we’ll be okay. But I’m all about making sure that we have enough funds in our CIP accounts for all of our departments so that we can stay current.
Sirois said there is a possibility that, upon doing the repair work, additional issues could come up like the need for a clutch replacement.
The council voted to spend up to $45,000 on the truck repairs, just in case an issue such as clutch replacement comes up. Council Secretary Paul Nadeau said this should cover any unexpected costs, so Sirois does not need to come back for approval a second time.
Sirois agreed that this should cover those costs, and the council voted unanimously in favor of the motion.
