Capital panel approves used excavator, sweeper buys
Capital Planning · Meeting of September 24, 2026
Paxton capital panel scrambles to fund a failed Public Safety Complex boiler ahead of winter. Fire Chief Mike Pinjitore told the Capital Improvement Planning Committee the 22-year-old unit was red-tagged after corrosion, with repair quotes ranging from $19,000 to about $33,000 and "every heating contractor" he consulted recommending full replacement. No account can cover it cleanly: the capital depreciation fund holds $36,000, the reserve fund $30,000, and free cash needs a town meeting vote.
The committee separately endorsed an $11,200 used street sweeper and approved a $17,000 used excavator, both bought from the town of Holden by new DPW Director Joseph Kenny, bringing the year's used-equipment purchases to six. Member Steve warned the pace is outrunning the department's maintenance capacity, noting the mechanic position has gone unfilled at pay roughly 30 percent below market. The committee also voted unanimously to forward revised governing bylaws, drafted by member Mark Love, to the Select Board.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,996 words
Source: the Capital Planning meeting of September 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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