The Boothbay Board of Selectmen have entrusted the town’s senior department heads to make decisions regarding two vehicle purchases.

The selectmen directed Fire Chief Richard Spofford and Lt. Timothy Pinkham to recommend the purchase of a new tanker for the East Boothbay Fire Station. The selectmen also authorized interim Town Manager Dan Bryer to negotiate with a local used car dealer to acquire a passenger vehicle for municipal use.

Spofford and Pinkham approached the board on April 8 about purchasing a used tanker. The department has searched for five years to replace the 32-year-old model stationed in East Boothbay. The tanker is in poor condition; its stainless steel inside has rusted and no longer meets National Fire Prevention Association standards, according to Spofford.

The fire department has searched nationwide for an economical replacement. The best used model found is a 2002 International chassis of a former beer truck. The chassis comes with 175,000 miles and a $131,000 price tag.

Spofford has concerns about purchasing a used vehicle. He believes a new truck is a better value. The fire department recommended purchasing a new single axle truck with the capacity of holding 1,500 gallons.

“We not looking for anything fancy,” Spofford said. “We’re need something small that meets national standards. A new truck will last 30 years. A used one would put us back in the same position in 10 years.”

Selectman Steven Lewis agreed.

“I can’t see us spending $131,000 on a used beer truck with 175,000 miles,” he said.

The selectmen directed the fire department to seek bids for a new tanker. A purchase is contingent upon voters appropriating $100,000 into the capital improvement fund this May.

“We can always move money around from other accounts to make up the difference in purchasing a new truck,” Lewis said. “It won’t hurt to seek bids now. If the funds are appropriated then we might be able to purchase a tanker in August.”

The selectmen are taking a different approach for adding a passenger vehicle to the municipal fleet. The board definitely wants a used vehicle. The selectmen directed Bryer to negotiate a trade-in of the town’s GMC 2002 pick-up with 220,000-plus miles for a sedan. Bryer has inquired about the truck’s worth at two used car dealerships. O’Connor’s in Augusta estimated a $7,000 value. Hawke’s Used Cars in Boothbay Harbor appraisal ranged between $6,500 and $8,000.

The selectmen authorized Bryer to accept the best offer.

“My personal opinion is Dan is intelligent enough to make a good decision. I don’t think it’s necessary for him to come back to us,” said Selectman Dale Harmon.

In other action, the selectmen discussed the comprehensive planning committee consultant Mark Eyerman’s contract. In 2013, Eyerman, the president of Planning Decisions, a Portland-based  firm, was the low bidder for the consultant’s position.

The selectmen accepted Eyerman’s $30,000 bid. Eyerman’s entire fee was paid in multiple installments, according to Bryer. A concerned committee member recently approached Bryer about Eyerman’s contract status.

“It’s been a long process, and nobody expected it to take this long,” Bryer said. “It’s been over a year since Mark has received any compensation. The member wanted me to bring this to the board’s attention.”

According to Bryer, Eyerman has not asked for additional compensation. Bryer told the board that contract terms called for Eyerman to be paid $125 per hour.

“Is he asking for another $25,000,” said Lewis. “I’d like to see the contract. If he personally hasn’t asked us about this then I find it hard to cut him a $25,000 check because we feel bad for him.”

The selectmen recalled Eyerman’s bid as being the lowest. If the town added more compensation then the bid would likely be the highest.

“We chose him because he was both the cheapest and the best,” Lewis said.

Bryer said the only reason the contract became an issue is Eyerman was asked about his status during the March 30 workshop.

“He has worked about 2.5 times beyond the original contract,” Bryer said. “Mark hasn’t griped at all. The only reason why this is an issue (is that) he was asked about it.”

Lewis said he wished Selectman Charles Cunningham was present. Cunningham also serves as the comprehensive planning committee’s chairman. Lewis recalled Cunningham speaking “very highly” of Eyerman’s work.

“Chuck would be the one to talk to about this. He’s been so impressed with Eyerman that he wants to hire him to implement all the ordinances changes after the comprehensive plan is adopted,” he said.

The selectmen want to review the contract to see how compensation is allotted.

The selectmen will meet next at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22 in the municipal building.