Hudson selectmen weigh purchase of truck for $1

HUDSON - Hudson selectmen are trying to purchase a town utilitytruck for just $1.

Government Acquisition Inc., from North Carolina, is a company inthe business of supplying vehicles for municipalities in exchange foradvertisements displayed on the vehicles.

The town's longtime attorney, Peter Beckerman of Waterville, wrotethe selectmen a letter advising against the idea, which was read tothe council on Thursday.

Beckerman's letter stated there were several holes in thecontract.

"I still think the idea is a good idea," said council ChairmanDonald Grant. "So what if [the truck] has some stuff on it? There hasto be a way we can do it."

Government Acquisition began operations in November and claims tohave contracts pending with municipalities across the country. TheHudson deal calls for a three-year contract for the utility truck for$1 with the stipulation that after that time period, the town willremove the advertisements and repaint.

If the plan is approved, the council will decide who willadvertise, and several potential businesses were discussed, includingthe U.S. Army and General Electric. No tobacco or alcoholadvertisements would be allowed.

"This is something that is in its infancy," said Grant. "There hasto be a way we can do this. I'd hate to throw it out."

The idea for the truck came from a Hudson volunteer firefighterwho found the company on the Internet.

Grant said he also heard about the company from a television newsstory.

"There was some place in North Carolina that has a whole fleet ofsheriff's cars that have advertisements on them and it cost them$40," he said.

Hundreds of municipalities have showed interest in the program,which has triggered a debate on government ethics because of theadvertisements.

The selectmen also are trying to reduce the amount the town spendsat the transfer station. The $30,000 Hudson expects to spend thisyear is too much, selectmen say.

"Mostly we're trying to cut the money back to where it was," saidGrant. "I think we need to cut it back to $23,000 or $24,000."

Selectman and transfer station employee Alfonso Tamburo said thisidea is unreasonable since prices to take care of the materials haveincreased. He added that salaries are not a big expense at thefacility.

"The wages are not really killing us," he said. "It's the price ofthe freight. I don't know if we can swing [the cuts]."

To help reduce the budget, Tamburo already has cut his hours backto 28 from his original 32.

"Last year, we knew there was a problem and we're trying to seewhat we can do to curb the problem," said Grant.