City Council last night (May 3) unanimously approved the purchase of over $1.5M in heavy-duty trucks to improve an aging Department of Public Works' fleet and remain in line with Mayor Rick Sollars' vision of focusing on community improvements in 2016. Thanks to financial improvements over the past two years that have seen the City rebound from a $5M deficit to a modest fund balance, the council approved the new truck purchases through the General Fund DPW Vehicle and the Water Capital Outlay outlay accounts.
"Everyone is focusing heavily this year on providing better City services and a better quality of life for our residents," Mayor Sollars said. "This is another action typical of that effort."
The City is already in the midst of a tremendous amount of street renovations across the community. Mayor Sollars also announced recently a laundry list of Heritage Park improvements, including the total renovation of the deteriorating Coan Lake seawall, bridge and walking paths.
The purchase -- seven snow plow trucks, a single-axle water truck, a tandem water truck and a tree truck -- were done through the Wolverine Truck Group (with the bodies supplied through Cannon Truck Equipment). They are being financed through PNC Bank for five years for a total cost to the City of $1,564,951. They are all Freightliner 2017 models.
The new snow plows are 39,000 pounds each with stainless steel beds and spreaders to avoid rusting. They will be stocked with the latest in LED lighting and each has under-body scrappers and front plows.
The single-axle water truck weighs 39,000 pounds. The tandem water truck weighs 64,000 pounds. Both are fitted with the latest LED lights.
The tree, or forestry, truck is 33,000 pounds and features a 75-foot working boom, a chipper and a full safety package.
Taylor's older DPW vehicles will remain in the possession of the City. Some will remain in commission while others will be used for spare parts and maintenance.
Just last year, the City purchased two new street sweepers to replace its ancient models.