By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—The Paris Board of Public Utilities on Tuesday approved the purchase of a compact excavator for the water department and BPU General Manager Terry Wimberley noted the wastewater department also will benefit from the purchase.
Wimberley told the board that the 2018-2019 budget that was already approved included replacing the department’s 2008 water backhoe with a new backhoe for $100,000. But, Wimberley noted, staff realized that a compact excavator could do more and would save money.
The excavator has an extended boom for longer reach, ability for deeper digs, more power and the ability to respond on-site quicker. The compact excavator will be beneficial for cross-country work, small digs on customer property and has multiple attachments for different tasks.
The excavator costs $66,958.35, which is $33,000 cheaper than a new backhoe would be.
Wimberley said, “This savings would also allow BPU to be more efficient in keeping the current backhoe to complete large jobs quicker, loading gravel, working in the street, and aiding the wastewater department many days.”
The board opted to purchase the John Deer compact excavator from Tennessee Tractor. Director of Water/Wastewater Tony Brown said the John Deere had more features “and is the best option for us”. Wimberley also noted the John Deere can be purchased and serviced locally.
In other business:
–Wimberley noted the customer surveys gauging public interest in broadband services have been sent out to commercial customers and responses should begin to be collected in the next several days. He said responses will not be fully analyzed by the time for the April board meeting.
Photo by Shannon McFarlin
Menu
