LIVERMORE — Selectpersons o Monday tabled decisions on a mowing contract and a damaged plow truck until more information is available.n

Board members opened three mowing bids from businesses in Livermore Falls. None included all of the required information specified in the job advertisement. Requested were the annual price per year over three years, an equipment list, proof of insurance and commercial references.

Mike Webber of Mike’s Lawn Care bid $5,800 for 2018; $6,000 for 2019 and $6,200 for 2020 for a total of $18,000. He provided an equipment list but no proof of insurance or references.

Dylan Webster of D & D Lawn Care put in a bid of $7,200 for each of the three years for a total of $21,600. He also provided an equipment list but no proof of insurance or references.

Bob Martin’s bid was for $7,000 per year for a total of $21,000. The only information not provided were references. He has the mowing contract for the town’s cemeteries.

Selectperson Megan Dion said it was possible some bidders didn’t see the newspaper advertisement and the bid package wasn’t as specific. The bid package did not mention references and stated proof of insurance could be provided if the bid was accepted.

Selectperson Scott Richmond said, “Give the three a chance to provide references and proof of insurance. We can decide at the next meeting.”

The board voted 4-0 to table a decision. Selectperson Chairman Tom Gould was absent.

No vote was taken on what to do with the town plow truck that was damaged in a March snowstorm. The truck had broken down and was being towed to a garage when the accident occurred on River Road.

Administrative Assistant Amy Byron said Maine Municipal Association, through which the town has insurance, considers the truck demolished. Cash value of the truck is $48,300. The town would receive a check for $40,050, if officials decide to keep the truck.

Byron said if the town sells the truck to towing company’s insurer, it would receive $48,050. If the town decides to keep the plow only, the check would be for $47,550 because the plow is valued at $1,500.

Highway Foreman Roger Ferland said a new plow would cost $5,000 to 6,000.

Dion said the motor and transmission are worth a lot of money. 

“We could put it out to bid. It would be foolish not to buy that truck back,” she said.

Richmond said the town doesn’t have time to do that.

Ferland suggested pulling the motor and computer and storing them to put into another truck.

Selectperson Mark Chretien said there’s no storage, the town is not in business to take things apart.

Selectperson Wayne Timberlake said the town might not get a high enough bid.

“If we get $8,000 for it, it’s a wash,” he said. “Why take the chance?”

Chretien wanted to know what it would cost to get the motor and computer out, to store them and put them into another truck.

Dion moved to accept $40,050 for the truck. No one seconded the motion.

Timberlake asked Ferland to get prices to pull the motor.

In other business, the board voted to close the office at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 5. The clerks need the time to get to the Regional School Unit 73 budget meeting that will be held at 6 p.m. at Spruce Mountain Middle School, 23 Community Drive in Jay.

A road committee meeting was set for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 10 at the Livermore Town Office Complex, 10 Crash Road.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net