A selectman’s concern about a recent school purchase has delayed the transaction’s completion.

Edgecomb Selectman Stuart Smith questioned the recent purchase of a new tractor for the Eddy School. Prior to the Aug. 25 meeting, he was unaware Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 purchased a new tractor.

Smith and fellow Selectman Jessica Chubbuck didn’t even know the make and model of the new tractor before being asked to sign the paperwork. The only information available was the $20,577 price and term of the loan.  

No school officials attended the meeting. Town Clerk Claudia Coffin said Edgecomb School Committee Chairman Sarah Clifford and Superintendent of Schools Eileen King were unable to attend the meeting. Smith declined to sign the loan paperwork until a school official could provide him with more information.

“This is the first of I’ve heard about it,” he said. “I didn’t know the school needed a tractor. As far as I’m concerned the old one was in good condition and still doing the job.”

Smith’s signature was required because only two selectmen attended the meeting. Board Chairman Jack Sarmanian was absent due to attending family business out of state. So the paperwork required both Smith’s and Chubbuck’s signatures.

Coffin said the purchase was approved during the May town meeting. But neither selectmen remembered it being in the budget. However, Sarmanian did. Earlier in the day, he emailed Chubbuck about the night’s agenda. He reminded her that Brenda Blackman of The First was bringing loan paperwork regarding a school purchase and for the town’s tax anticipation note.

During the meeting, Smith contacted town Budget Committee Chairman Nort Fowler about the tractor. Fowler recalled that the committee spoke about purchasing a new school tractor, but it was later removed from the budget.

Coffin urged Smith to call Clifford to clarify any questions about the new tractor. But Smith declined.

“A five minute conversation on the phone isn’t going to do it for me,” Smith said. “I’d rather wait and get some more information about it. I don’t think waiting a couple of weeks is going to hurt anything.”

Smith said he would discuss the purchase with both school officials prior to the board’s next meeting in two weeks. The AOS received a five-year loan at a 2.75 percent interest rate to purchase the tractor. Coffin said school officials told her that the AOS may pay off the loan early.

The selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8 in the municipal building.