Town board raises highway purchasing threshold in updated Jewett procurement policy

The Jewett Town Board voted to update its procurement policy, increasing the highway superintendent's individual purchase authorization from $1,500 to $3,000 and clarifying when purchases require town-board approval.

Chair (S2) said the revision "increase[s] the limits. For example, the highway superintendent is authorized to purchase equipment, tools, and implements not to exceed 3,000. Today was 1,500." Board members discussed whether the limit applied per purchase rather than monthly and agreed the change was per individual purchase; the policy also preserves a process for emergencies and potential special meetings.

The policy change, framed as an update to keep pace with inflation and to replace a 2012 policy, passed unanimously. The board described the revision as administrative in purpose: items above $3,000 will require board approval, while purchases below that threshold may be made by the superintendent without prior board action.

Next steps include updating the written procurement documents and notifying departments of the new per-purchase limits. The board noted that emergency purchases would still be handled through supervisor contacts and potential emergency meetings when necessary.