HEATH — In the absence of money to acquire a new truck, town officials are working out an agreement with a private contractor for snow removal services this winter.

Pending successful contract negotiations, Vermont-based Saladino Property Maintenance will function as the town’s “fourth plow person” in addition to the three Highway Department employees, according to Selectboard Chair Robyn Provost-Carlson. Highway Superintendent Jeffrey Johnston reviewed the proposed contract and, following a review by the Selectboard last week, was prepared to share it with owner Joe Saladino for consideration.

“I’m really hoping it works out for both sides,” said Selectboard member Sue Lively.

Earlier this year, Town Meeting voters twice rejected requests to fund the purchase of a highway cab and chassis. The Finance Committee requested a Special Town Meeting in July to move $104,000 from the town’s Equipment/Vehicle Stabilization Account to buy the highway cab and chassis for the Highway Department. This vote failed, 41-24. It required a two-thirds majority to pass, or 45 votes.

That meeting came after voters turned down a similar Highway Department request during Annual Town Meeting in May. Voters had been asked to appropriate $195,000 — from free cash, the Equipment/Vehicle Stabilization Account and up to $53,145 in borrowing — for the highway cab and chassis. That article also failed to receive the two-thirds majority needed to pass, with a contingent of voters expressing frustration with the Selectboard over its decision to reduce the Highway Department’s staff from four to three employees while crafting the fiscal year 2024 budget. At the time, the Selectboard argued it would be cheaper to hire extra personnel specifically during snowstorms than to have a fourth employee. Other residents were concerned about high budget expenses and higher property taxes.

Of the five trucks in the Highway Department’s possession — one of which is too small to plow the gravel roads of Heath — two are close to completely failing. Highway Superintendent Jeffrey Johnston previously said the town has paid $50,000 in repair costs for its 2012 truck to one vendor since 2018, as well as additional repair costs paid to another vendor. Repairs were covered under the vehicle’s warranty before 2018. The second truck was made in 2003.

Last week, Selectboard members reviewed the proposed contract with Saladino Property Maintenance, primarily to clarify certain details, such as whether the company’s routes had been worked out with Johnston and if a particular person would be plowing them. To that end, Saladino said a route had been identified and an employee of his from Shelburne Falls would be overseeing it. Saladino said his only immediate concern was the mud.

“I don’t have a mud plow,” he explained. “A lot of towns have a special plow for one of their trucks. … The only concern I have is when the road is muddy in the early winter and spring; once it freezes, it’s no problem.”

After Kyle Jarvis, a foreman/mechanic with the town’s Highway Department, said the town does have a mud plow for those instances, Provost-Carlson said that’s a conversation for Saladino to have with Johnston and Jarvis.

“It’s also important … that if you have any questions or concerns, say it immediately,” she said. “Don’t let it fester.”

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.