BY JIMMY LAWTON

North Country This Week

CANTON — St. Lawrence County approved the purchase of a boat motor at a cost of $15,000 in a split vote Monday.

The purchase request was made by St. Lawrence County Sheriff Brooks Bigwarfe who said the motor would bring the sheriff’s patrol boat back into order.

While legislators supported the Sheriff’s request for a new motor, Legislator David Forsythe said he had reservations about purchasing a used motor rather than a new one.

He said for the difference in price he’d rather see the county spend the money on something new, rather than dealing with “headaches” that can accompany used equipment.

Legislator Tony Arquiett agreed.

Bigwarfe told legislators at the meeting that the bids were requested for a new boat motor but none were returned. He said that they weren’t currently available, which is what prompted him to look at the used market.

Forsythe said that he knows waiting on a new motor could be inconvenient but pointed out that the boating season will only last another month or so.

Bigwarfe said he understood the concerns but said the used motor would allow him to get a patrol back on the water and that with proper care and maintenance he believed the used motor could last a long time.

In the end the measure passed with legislators Forsythe and Arquiett voting no.