CHESTERVILLE — Selectmen on Thursday authorized spending $40,000 for an excavator and approved the purchase of a heat pump and water heater for the Town Hall.

Road Foreman Mike Cote said Butch Haggan of Haggan Enterprises in Farmington gave him an estimate of $34,000 for a used excavator. The addition of a digging bucket, plumbing, steel wrist and a ditching bucket brought the price to $43,500.

Cote said he received an estimate of $45,500 from Eagle Rental in Waterville for a similar machine. He said two weeks would be needed to put the additional parts on once a purchase agreement was signed with Haggan.

Selectman Edward Hastings IV suggested Cote offer Haggan $40,000 for the excavator plus the additional features.

“We’d have another week to look for a different machine if Haggan doesn’t sell it tomorrow,” Hastings said.

The board authorized Cote and Selectman Chairman Tyler Jenness to sign the purchase agreement, if Haggan accepted the offer.

Selectmen also voted to purchase a heat pump and water heater for the Town Hall for $1,065 from A. Maurais and Sons of Jay.

Jenness said Ryan Morgan of RDM Electric in Farmington would do the hookup for about $150.

Hastings suggested hot water be set up in the men’s bathroom, because there’s none there.

Selectman Matt Welch said the new water heater is electric and would save money.

Barker reminded selectmen that the Extension Homemakers would donate $500 toward the cost of the heater.

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