MIDDLEBURGH - Last Thursday, the Middleburgh Town Board convened to discuss replacing their mowing tractor, which Highway Superintendent Steve Kowalski says is on its way out.
Now that the weather is getting warmer, the tractor has found its way back into the repair shop, stalling progress that the highway crew wants to make.
“This is the fifth time in five years that it’s broken down,” said Superintendent Kowalski.
Fortunately, having raised the matter in a prior meeting, he was instructed to gather quotes on a potential replacement for their machine, and he came prepared with a batch of three that had caught his attention.
While he noted that the first two were priced at $162,500 and $132,500, the one that Superintendent Kowalski recommended is priced at a middle ground of $146,471, which comes with many of the amenities that the first price tag carries.
“It’s got an air ride seat, heat and AC, and it’s cabbed,” he explained, noting that the cab was especially useful for tough mowing patches that might be harboring an angry beehive.
He also explained that the last quote boasts the heaviest tractor, weighing ten thousand pounds before wheel weight. “When you’re bending a six foot arm over the side of the road, that weight really makes a difference,” he said.
In order to cover the cost, Superintendent Kowalski further suggested that they allocate a portion of the $350,000 that was set aside for their new truck deal, which had fallen through, and instead purchase another machine for a portion of that cost.
Further, he said that he has three pieces of surplus equipment that he would like to bring to auction, gauging that the Town could likely earn about $30,000 in total.
Consulting their budget, the Board decided that they could transfer $50,000 from their B fund in order to pay out $150,000 from their highway equipment line, which would secure the tractor before the season gets away from the crew.
With their minds made up and Susan Makely abstaining, members voted to approve the acquisition of the mowing tractor.
