Windsor Locks Selectmen Considering Policy That Gives Town Flexibility in Disposing of Assets

When Windsor Locks selectmen found themselves being asked to authorize the auctioning of an old typewriter, they decided it was time to review town’s policy on disposing its property.

“That typewriter was junk,” First Selectman Steven N,. Wawruck Jr. said at the board of selectmen meeting in this week. “It should never have come before us but we still had to dispose of it.”

The selectmen reviewed a new policy with Finance Director Barbara Bertrand who has proposed determining how an asset is disposed of based on its dollar value. Only the larger, more expensive items would come before the board.

For instance, items under $500 would not have to come before the board of selectmen in order for town officials to get rid of it.

“I’ve called several towns and they do similar things,” Bertrand said.

The typewriter was brought to the board because under town policies there was no other avenue to dispose of it, she said.

“Everything that is an asset must come forward,” Bertrand said.

The board discussed how a new policy could also aid in the selling of an old fire truck. The town had a buyer for the truck but because it required approval by the selectmen, who meet twice a month. The process wasn’t fast enough and the bid was withdrawn.

Bertrand said she asks department heads to estimate how much an asset is worth before it is put up for auction. The town tries to get that amount at the auction.

Officials said they have another opportunity to put the fire truck up for auction locally.

The board this time around gave Bertrand a range of what the estimated worth of the fire truck is and what the members think is the lowest price to accept. With that range and giving the first selectman permission to approve a bid will cut down on the time, officials said.

The new town asset policy was not approved by the board this week. Wawruck said the board was presented with the first read of the policy.

“This will allow us flexibility,” Wawruck said.