BUCKFIELD — Selectmen nixed awarding a bid for a new truck because the Ford F-550 the town had planned to trade in died and the trade in value was lost.

At the Tuesday night board meeting, Town Manager Cindy Dunn said the 2001 truck she and Road Foreman Tyler Belanger wanted to trade in would cost upward of $19,000 to pass inspection.

“Friday, we lost the high pressure oil pump … so we had to have it towed and, long story short, basically (the cost) to repair this vehicle far outweighs its value so we have lost all trade-in offers for this vehicle,” Dunn said.

Ripley & Fletcher Ford, Emerson Chevrolet Buick Inc. and Lee Auto Malls all gave quotes that included a trade-in value for the truck, and the quotes jumped after the truck was lost. Dunn said the new quotes ranged between $36,000 and $39,000 for the 2015 Ford, Dodge and Chevrolet trucks.

“I feel that at this point in time, with these new numbers, the cost of buying it in this fiscal year is a moot point because we just don’t have the money,” Dunn said. “Even with appropriating from equipment reserves (and the) emergency contingency (fund), the remainder of that balance, the budget just can’t withstand it.”

“What do they need it for for the rest of the year?” Chairwoman Martha Catevenis asked.

The truck is normally used for patching the roads during the warmer months, Dunn said.

Catevenis wanted to know if the town manager had a recommendation for the board.

“We don’t have the financial means to do anything between now and June 30. I would say put something in the budget and when approved, start shopping again,” Dunn said.

“I guess that’s what we have to do,” Catevenis said.

The F-550’s inspection was set to expire on May 31 and Dunn previously said the extensive work needed to pass inspection was discovered when she and Belanger were preparing the proposed public works equipment budget. The $18,800 in repairs included plow and oil pan replacement, six new tires, body work and fixing the front axle, hub and tie rods. The price tag didn’t include dump body rust repair and rear frame work that was needed.

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