WOODSTOCK – After a lively town meeting Monday, Woodstock has a new selectman, three new ordinances, and no funding to continue the lease/purchase agreement on a backhoe shared by the road crew and the transfer station.
The question of the backhoe came on the heels of a debate over using $60,000 from the major highway equipment reserve account to purchase a “newer” loader. The fact that the current loader is about 25 years old persuaded all but a few to vote for the purchase.
Many of those who opposed the purchase of a loader also opposed the selectmen’s plan to almost double the amount they would spend to lease a backhoe. Selectmen had hoped to lease a larger backhoe this year for $14,000. Last year, the town spent $7,050 on its backhoe lease.
Former road foreman Percy Monk argued that a larger backhoe would do more damage to the roads, costing the town more money in the long run. Steve Bies added that the total cost of a leased backhoe would be more than that of a purchased one, noting that “as a town we take pride in not being in debt.”
Duane Ryerson asked why the town didn’t purchase the backhoe it had been using for the past five years, which he said would cost about $30,000.
The motion to appropriate $14,000 to lease a larger backhoe was finally defeated by about a two thirds majority, causing Town Manager Vern Maxfield to exclaim “well, we’ve got to do something.”
Moderator Clifford York said that the town would have to hold a special town meeting if it wished to appropriate $30,000 for the purchase of a backhoe. No date was set for a meeting.
A new alarm ordinance will impose a $250 fee for a third false alarm within a period of one year. The ordinance includes any audible alarm, alarm connected to the fire department’s dispatch, or nonemergency E-911 call. The building permit ordinance was amended to create permit fees, as recommended by the state. A third ordinance change will allow iron rods to mark subdivisions, rather than stone markers.
Victor Young was elected to replace outgoing selectman Leon Poland for a term of three years. Philip Korhonen was reelected to the SAD 44 board. Patricia Thurlow and Stacey Millett both reelected in absentia as Whitman Memorial Library trustees.
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