We were cheered by Waldoboro’s decision to move ahead with the purchase of a 70-foot vehicle scale for the Waldoboro Transfer Station last week.
We find the decision reassuring in the wake of Waldoboro’s recent budget issues. In 2013, the town labored through a painful and divisive budget process and ended the year with a bitterly divided board of selectmen.
That’s all well and good.
The voters wanted a tight-fisted, penny-pinching board and that is exactly what they got. The selectmen they elected are doing their dead level best to attend to the town’s business in the manner they said they would and they are to be commended for that. Waldoboro residents will deliver their job reviews at the polls.
We think this decision is a good one for two reasons: the 70-foot vehicle scale was specifically recommended because it will meet both the existing and the future need, and buying the model they did forestalls other expenses down the road.
Based on our experience, buying it right the first time is a proven money-saver.
Yes, it does hurt shelling out more up front, but the higher entry fee generally forestalls the premature need to repair, replace, or upgrade, and that’s where the pennies are truly pinched.
We fully agree with Waldoboro Selectman Craig Cooley’s comment to the effect that spending more money later defeats the purpose of saving money now.
“I’d hate to kick my butt for being a conservative in saving $29,000 now and spending $72,000 eight or 10 years, or 12 years, or 15 years down the road,” Cooley said.
It is true they did not take the cheaper option, but we are confident they made the less expensive choice.
