Wiscasset selectmen are facing a new-versus-used decision as they look at replacing a plow truck destroyed in a Nov. 2 storm.

They began talking over the purchase with Public Works Director Doug Fowler on Tuesday night, then made plans to discuss it further at a special meeting Nov. 25.

The truck’s driver was not hurt when a pine tree limb crushed the truck’s cab, Fowler told the board Nov.18. The truck was totaled; the town is getting $22,650 in insurance money for the loss, officials said.

Fowler knew of a 2005 truck with 38,000 miles on it for $50,000. However, Selectmen’s Chairman Pam Dunning said she was not a fan of the idea of getting the 9-year-old truck.

Some residents asked if the town could get by with its remaining plow trucks, buy a smaller truck than the one that was destroyed, or farm out some of the plowing work.

The workers’ union would need to be notified if the town was going to use a contractor, officials said. As for a smaller truck or smaller fleet, Fowler said that could impact the level of service that residents have come to expect.

He doubted a light winter for storms is on the way.

“The winters have been quite snowy, and I think that’s a trend that’s going to continue,” he said.

Among options reviewed for a new truck was a four-year plan at $40,000 a year. The insurance money would offset all but about $17,000 of the first year’s payment.

“Well, there aren’t any good options, but I think this qualifies as an emergency,” Vice Chairman Ben Rines Jr. said about replacing the truck. Board members discussed possibly calling a special town meeting on the purchase. It was too late to get the item on the Dec. 9 ballot for the referendum on the plans to close Wiscasset Primary School, Dunning said.

Another spending decision

Putting a new roof over the troubled one at the Wiscasset Community Center is a viable option, Parks and Recreation Director Todd Souza told selectmen. Voters earlier this year approved spending $150,000 on the roof. The current one dates to the 1990s and has been plagued by leaks. A new memo from the engineering firm of Wright-Pierce favors replacing the roof over putting a new one over it, but that could cost more than what the town has funded. Souza said the overlay option could work. The firm’s memo projects that would cost about $150,000; a roof redo could run between $240,000 and $280,000, according to the memo.

Souza planned to explore the matter further and get back to the board on Dec. 2 or at next week’s meeting on Nov. 25, if he has enough information by then.

‘Sad day’ ahead

Dec. 19, when Assessor’s Agent Sue Varney’s retirement  takes effect, will be a very sad day at the town office, Selectmen’s Chairman Pam Dunning said. Board members voted unanimously Tuesday to accept Varney’s retirement letter with regret. Varney, of Wiscasset, has worked nearly 37 years for the town.