In what could qualify as one of the shortest special town meetings on record, Wiscasset voters needed less than five minutes to approve the purchase of a new snow plow truck Dec. 11.
Twenty-two voters attended the meeting. After Susan Blagden was elected moderator, she read of the warrant article; Selectman Benjamin Rines, Jr. made the motion to accept the article as read, former budget committee chairman Steve Mehrl asked the lone question: what was the total potential appropriation for the new truck? Selectman Pam Dunning replied $150,000.
The warrant article was recommended by both the board of selectmen and the budget committee.
During a brief interview following the special town meeting, Wiscasset Road Commissioner Doug Fowler said he was able to locate two new International trucks, a 2014 and a 2015, both equipped with a sander and plow. Fowler said he will seek bids from two dealers in the area, and is hopeful to have a new truck in the fleet, by Monday, Dec. 15.
The new truck will replace the 1996 Topkick that was totaled Nov. 2 when a tree limb fell on to the cab, crushing the driver’s side of the cab.
The town will receive about $18,000 from the insurance on the damaged truck.
