Plan for new freezer gets cool reception

KENT — Although they did not give the idea the cold shoulder, the selectmen did not warmly receive a suggestion at their July 6 meeting that the town’s Nutrition Center should get a new freezer.

According to Selectman George Jacobsen, the center is currently using a unit that is in serious disrepair, and he wants to replace it with a new one.

“About five years ago, somebody donated a new freezer after our old one broke down,� Jacobsen said. “However, the donated freezer is problematic because it doesn’t self-defrost. It’s a little bit concerning that when you put your hand on it you find it alarmingly hot. It’s not exactly dangerous, but it is very hot.�

He said he went to appliance store P. C. Richard & Son and found a 12-cubic-foot frost-free freezer for $339.

Selectman Karren Garrity asked Jacobsen if he got three bids as he searched for a new freezer.

Jacobsen told her that he did not need to because the cost is under $10,000.

“There would be a delivery charge of approximately $48, plus they would take away the old one,� Jacobsen said. “I don’t have a truck to get it so I think this is the thing to do. It’s an annoyance that volunteers who work at [the nutrition site] have to defrost that sucker. We’re talking about a trivial amount of money.�

First Selectman Bruce Adams said the freezer Jacobsen is recommending is “small� and that he was surprised at the cost.

He asked Jacobsen which town budget line item the funds for the freezer would come from.

“The nutrition center’s repair and maintenance budget,� Jacobsen said. “It’s July 6 (five days into the new fiscal year), I don’t think too much of that line item has been spent yet.�

The selectmen did not vote on the purchase. Adams said he would do some additional research.

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