The Edgecomb School Committee needs to clear one more hurdle before the town will approve a tractor loan.

The school committee purchased a new tractor this fall, and voters will decide on Oct. 20 whether to pay for it.

The warrant will ask voters if they will commit the town to five years of tractor payments. The selectmen voted 2-0 on Sept. 22 to hold a special town meeting seeking voter approval authorizing the loan.

It appeared two weeks ago the selectmen authorized town treasurer Claudia Coffin to submit the loan paperwork. But Selectman Jessica Chubbuck asked her to wait until she contacted the Maine Municipal Association. Chubbuck wanted to  check with the association to see if the proper procedure was followed.

“I just wanted to make sure all the I’s were dotted and the T’s were crossed. Anytime the town has borrowed money we’ve always sought voter approval,” Chubbuck said. “I checked with MMA and they said the town needed to vote on the loan by either a referendum or special town meeting.”

A special informational hearing will be held prior to the vote. The informational meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 6.

School and town officials will answer questions about the tractor purchased for $20,577 from Chad Little Outdoor Power Equipment in Brunswick. The First has approved the school committee for a loan at 2.68 percent interest.

The Edgecomb Budget Committee asked school officials this spring  to seek a tractor loan to prevent an increase in this year’s school budget.

The selectmen weren’t originally aware of the loan. The board delayed approving the paperwork on Aug. 25 until they had more information about the new tractor.

On Sept. 8, school officials reported the old tractor’s front loader and hydraulic systems had rusted into place and weren’t fixable. Superintendent Eileen King described the tractor’s functions as being limited and said it could no longer perform the school’s year-round maintenance.

During the May town meeting, voters approved the school budget and the $5,400 yearly tractor payment. But they didn’t vote to commit the town to a five-year loan.

The special town meeting will held at 7 p.m. in the municipal building.