MILLSTONE — The governing body postponed a resolution authorizing the sale of its grader until it receives further information.
The Township Committee voted 3-0 on Feb. 2 to wait until Feb. 16 to make a decision about selling the 2007 Case Model 845 motor grader. Mayor Nancy Grbelja and Committeeman Fiore Masci were absent.
According to the resolution, the grader is no longer needed for public use. Bidding would start at $95,000, and the successful bidder would have to agree to accept up to three annual grading assignments from the township. The assignments would not exceed 10 hours in the five consecutive years after the sale, and the township would give at least two weeks advance notice for any grading assignment.
Township Administrator and Public Works Coordinator Phil Del Turco said the township paid $155,950 in 2008 for the grader, along with $783 for the radio system. At the time, the Department of Public Works (DPW) had a fixed plow and Vplow in its possession, which were adapted to the grader, he said. An additional side plow was later purchased for the grader, he said .
Del Turco spoke with the DPW supervisor, who does not see any benefit in retaining the grader, since it is too heavy and not suitable for the township’s equipment. He added there are insurance and other carrying costs associated with the grader.
Committeeman Gary Dorfman wanted to know whether the 10-hour requirement would include travel time to and from township jobs.
“I have no idea how much work it can do in an hour,” Dorfman said. “We need clarity.”
Committeeman Bob Kinsey said that if someone from out of the area wants to purchase the grader, the 10-hour requirement could be a deal breaker.
“In my understanding, there’s not a big market [for graders],” he said, adding that the buyer would also have to transport the machine to fulfill the 10-hour requirement.
“In my opinion, we put it out to bid, sell it and be done with it,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Michael Kuczinski, who ran the meeting in the absence of the mayor, said the grader is expensive and the township doesn’t use it a lot. There is no longer a qualified operator for it, he said.
“We can take the money and put it to better use,” he said.
Del Turco said he would like the committee to make a decision by the next meeting. If the grader is sold, the proceeds may be able to go into this year’s municipal budget.