QUINNESEC — Breitung Township plans to spend up to $77,000 for a new municipal work truck — $63,000 for the truck and up to $14,000 for a plow.

Department of Public Works Superintendent Jay Davis reported that this past summer the brush truck, a 1999 Ford F250, needed over $4,100 in repairs. A new truck purchase was originally scheduled for 2026 and discussions were already underway to move it up into the 2025 budget.

On Monday, however, Davis told the township board that an opportunity had come up.

Town & Country Sales has a new 2023 Ford F350 work truck that is slated to be brought to auction and could be sold to the township at a discount. The truck already has the tool boxes the public works department would need. Municipal work lights and a plow could be added.

Davis said he compared prices in MiDEAL, a purchasing program through the state that allows municipalities to purchase goods at a discounted rate. The price of the truck from Town & Country Sales was about $4,300 more than one through MiDEAL. However it could take over a year to take possession of a vehicle purchased through MiDEAL.

Davis also noted that the truck from Town & Country Sales has a gasoline engine. He assured the board that a diesel was not needed as the truck would not be towing heavy equipment.

The board approved the truck acquisition.

In other business, the board:

— Updated the township’s policy on oaths of office. All township employees, board members, commission members and hearing officers will now be required to take an oath. Township Clerk Karie Taff learned at a recent Michigan Township Association seminar that oaths are required for many positions and recommended for all positions as they lend credibility and create a sense of accountability to a position.

— Tabled the resignation of Elections Manager/Deputy Clerk Jamie Tinti. Tinti’s resignation was tendered on Oct. 23 and was to be effective Nov. 8.

Trustee Ben Peterson wanted to know if anybody had discussed or made a counter-offer to Tinti. Superintendent Steve Mulka said that he had spoken to her and did not think she was open to any offers due to the schedule she was being offered. They could ask one more time, he added.

Mulka noted that Tinti was an excellent employee and retaining her would be the easiest way to assure continuity of service. He agreed to talk with her further.

— Approved the pay for custodian Dave Pataconi who works part-time but wants to transition to full-time. Pataconi currently works 25 hours per week and when he is done with his custodian duties he helps the public works department. For the time being, Pataconi will receive his custodian pay when doing that job and will be paid at the DPW-1 rate when doing public works duties, a difference of $4 per hour. The rate will be reviewed on Jan. 1 when Pataconi turns full-time.

— Approved a six-month contract agreement with Photos by Emily for $2,150. As part of the township’s website upgrade and community promotion, the board agreed with the web developer to provide a library of high-resolution photos of people and places around the township.

Jim Paul can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 229, or jpaul@ironmountaindailynews.com.