FARMINGTON — Regional School Unit 9 directors voted Tuesday to replace a leaking 10,000-gallon diesel fuel tank at the district bus garage near Mount Blue Middle School in Farmington.

The total estimated cost is $91,350 with a 5 percent contingency.

The new tank is expected to be installed in early January and the old double-walled one, which has a leak in the outer shell, will be removed next summer.

The new tank will use the existing fuel dispensing pump, electrical and site, Chalmers said. A chain-link fence will be installed around the tank/pump area and Jersey barriers will be placed between traffic areas and the tank.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is working with the district, Jonathan Chalmers, director of support services, told the school board. Weekly monitoring of the leaking tank is required until it’s emptied.

The district had not budgeted to replace the tank.

Chalmers said there are a couple of projects that were budgeted this year but not done. They could put off replacing the Cushing School roof in Wilton, which was estimated at $34,871. They also could put off heating unit ventilators at the Cascade Brook School in Farmington, he said. That is estimated to cost $48,000.

The Cushing School roof is not leaking but was in the rotation to be replaced. Some adjustments to the computerized system for heat at the Cascade Brook School and other issues are being addressed. Some rooms were too cold.

The diesel fuel tank in Farmington is also used by public works and fire rescue departments in Farmington and Industry, Chalmers said. The district charges the towns 1 cent per gallon above the cost the district pays. A key system identifies who is using the fuel, Chalmers said.

The district also has a contract with C.N. Brown to use a certain amount of fuel by June.

The tank installation is estimated at $81,265 and the removal and 5 percent contingency will add another $10,085, according to Chalmers’ figures.

Directors discussed increasing the 1 cent cost to the towns. Some proposals will be brought to a future meeting.

Directors also approved buying two 77-passenger, propane-fueled buses through a lease-purchase agreement. The principal cost is $181,700. Directors approved a loan with TD Bank, which offered an interest rate of 2.66 percent.

The O’Connor dealership is waiting to deliver the buses, which are budgeted this fiscal year.

Chalmers said he has applied to the Maine Department of Education for two buses to be replaced in the 2016-17 fiscal year.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net