Winchester to buy $3,250 forklift after skid steer proves too wide for transfer station

Selectmen voted 4-1 on Sept. 2 to buy a used propane forklift for the Transfer Station to address operational problems with the current skid steer.

"The skid steer isn't working out as well as hoped. It's too wide of a machine for maneuvering bails in and out of the containers and building," Selectman Ben Kilanski told the board while proposing the $3,250 purchase. Kilanski said two cardboard bales weigh roughly 2,200 pounds and the skid steer was unable to lift that load; he also said the skid steer is damaging newly paved surfaces. The board discussed pending grant applications that could add $3,000 for a bailer and $3,000 for a forklift.

Selectman Kilanski moved to approve the purchase; Selectman Herbert Stephens seconded and the motion carried 4-1. Selectman Trevor Croteau said the Transfer Station Operating Manager should bring such requests directly to the board in the future. Kilanski said the skid steer would be retained for other uses but that a narrower forklift would better fit the Transfer Station’s operations.