Sumner to replace its 27-year-old grader

SUMNER — Selectmen agree it's time to replace the town's 27-year-old grader.

During the board's Tuesday meeting, selectmen encouraged Road Commissioner Jim Keach and Selectman Walter Litchfield to attend an auction in hopes of finding a newer one, at a fairly decent price. 

The town's current grader is a 1985 Trojan, that town officials say is just too old and is falling apart. In addition, it's a German model so finding parts to fix it is not easy, said Keach.  

"All I know is, it's time to do something with that grader," he told selectmen. 

Keach and Litchfield will attend a state surplus auction in Augusta. They plan to purchase a grader for a maximum of $20,000.

Keach said the graders are 1990 John Deere models. He said before making an offer he would attend the auction to check them out and see how they run. 

Keach said the graders at auction will cost between $12,000 and $16,000. 

At town meeting moments before, voters authorized selectmen to raise and appropriate $10,000 for the Road Equipment Account – the account includes a carryover of $37,090 for the purchase of a replacement grader. 

Selectmen agreed to not exceed $20,000 at auction. 

The regularly-scheduled selectmen meeting followed the town meeting Tuesday night. Selectmen were surprised to see that not one resident was present for open session. 

"That's a first," said Chairwoman Mary Ann Haxton. 

In other news, the board: 

• Heard from Selectman Walter Litchfield that the road committee will come up with a tentative list of roads, including Bonney, Labrador Pond and Arthur Allen Roads for the state to look at to determine proper speed limits. 

• Heard from Keach that the sign for Homestead Way will be installed. 

• Authorized $260 from the Robinson Cemetery Account needed for repairs to the gate at the cemetery.