FARMINGTON – Town officials are still pursuing the most cost efficient way to buy gas for the town’s fleet of vehicles. Selectmen also awarded the contract Tuesday to demolish and remove the former highway garage to a local contractor.

Town Manager Richard Davis said he was going to talk to Franklin County officials about the two entities joining efforts to save money.

The town has already entered into an agreement with SAD 9 to buy diesel in bulk.

Now it’s looking for a way to save money on gas.

“We’re still pursuing it with county,” Davis said. “We’re thinking if we can show them that they could save money . . . perhaps we’ll be able to work a deal.”

The town has a meter system that indicates how much fuel each town department uses. The town is willing to use its meter system if it joins with the county for bulk gas buys, Davis said.

In the meantime, Davis said, he is talking to the town’s current gas vendor to see if the prices can remain the same until the garage, where the tank is located, is demolished or a decision is made on buying gas.

Once the garage is torn down, if the town has not made a decision, it will need to install a temporary electric service to operate the gas pump, Davis said.

In other business, E.L. Vining and Son of Farmington was the low bidder of eight to demolish the old highway garage. Vining’s bid was $9,877, Davis said. The company will tear down the building and remove the debris and clean the cement floor. The town highway crew will break up the cement flooring and put it in the former landfill. The material is legally disposed of that way, he said, because it is inert material.

The garage should be demolished in July after the gas purchase decision is made, he said.

Selectmen also awarded a contract to Stevens Painting Service of Phillips with a bid of $2,280 to paint the gym walls in the Community Center.

Ken’s Carpet of Farmington was awarded the contract to install floor tile in the recreation room at the Community Center where voting takes place. His bid was $2,439.


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