Town to Buy Used Pickup for Public Works

The town is getting a great deal on a used truck that the Public Works will be able to use for years to come.

That's what officials told the Legislative Council last week, and they in turn approved the bid waiver for the $6,500 price tag for the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 utility truck that will be purchased from Bob Thomas Ford.

The truck is listed on the auto dealer's website for almost $10,000. It has only 70,000 miles on it and has a Kelly Blue Book value of $8,360.

"I envision it used to move guys around," said Public Works Director Craig Cesare. Now, larger six-wheel dump trucks are used, he said, and this truck will save those trucks wear and tear, as well as gas.

The utility body -- which looks like a dump body but doesn't dump -- can be used to transport equipment like mowers, Cesare said. 

"It's actually an excellent price -- we have researched it," Cesare said. "I know some folks don't believe in buying used  -- including our superintendent of vehicles, who is not a fan -- but this truck is in very impressive condition and we thought it would be a good asset to add to the fleet."

To buy the truck new would cost in excess of $30,000, he said, and this truck is expected to last the town years. It will replace a 1991 truck that has more than 200,000 miles on it, he said.

"I've seen a lot of pickups around town," Councilwoman Betty Wetmore said. "Is it really necessary to get another one?"

"There are a few different divisions in town that use similar vehicles," Cesare said, including the Board of Education, whose trucks are often confused with those of Public Works, as well as those used by the Parks Department.

"A truck of this age is going to need TLC," said Councilwoman Carol Noble.

"As do many of our trucks," Cesare said. "This will be one of the better trucks in our fleet and it will not see heavy, heavy usage so it's a good fit for now and it's a very good deal."

"I know exactly what it will be used for," said Councilman Jack Kenelly, who has served as Public Works Director, "and right now we are using vesicles that get four miles per gallon, and this will probably outlast a 2012 truck based on what we will be using it for.

"And paying $6,500 versus $35,000 new is a wonderful way to go," Kenelly said. "I think it will last a long, long time and be very beneficial to the department."