LIVERMORE FALLS – Funding for New Plow Truck Equipment
On April 29, voters at the annual town meeting will decide on a referendum to approve $92,995 for the purchase of equipment and a dump body for a new plow truck.
On February 4, the selectmen approved a bid of $92,995 from Viking-Cives of Maine located in Lewiston for these supplies, while another bid from HP Fairfield in Skowhegan was $107,455.50.
Town Manager Carrie Castonguay pointed out that the bid includes a stipulation for approval at the upcoming town meeting in April, stating, “They won’t be getting their money until after July 1.”
Selectman Jim Long suggested phrasing the warrant article for a May effectiveness rather than July and using reserve funds. In response, Castonguay noted, “We don’t have the money in reserves to raise the money in taxation. We spent this year’s allocation on the truck.”
Recent Plow Truck Purchase
Last August, the selectmen approved a $157,015 bid from O’Connor GMC for an automatic transmission plow truck for the Public Works department. Highway Foreman Bill Nichols indicated the necessity for an automatic, as most individuals who attend truck driving school obtain their licenses for automatic vehicles and are often unable to drive a standard plow truck.
Recreation Master Plan Development
“We met last week and selected a vendor,” Castonguay said, noting that Fourth Economy, based in Pittsburgh, PA, has prior experience working in Maine.
“The timeline is tight,” she added. “We expect the finished product by the end of July. Despite being from out of state, this company will spend more time on site than the other two proposals.”
The company intends to conduct two visits lasting three days each, meeting with stakeholders and carrying out surveys. Castonguay expressed her enthusiasm: “I look forward to collaborating with them. I believe we made a great choice.”
The towns of Jay, Livermore, and Livermore Falls have teamed up with AVCOG (Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments) to secure a grant from the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection Agency’s Recreation Economy for Rural Communities to create a master recreation plan.
