MILLBROOK — An aging Highway Department truck used for fall leaf collection, spring brush pickup and as a backup snowplow must now be repaired, decommissioned or replaced, village Highway Supervisor Ethan Kelly said at a special Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, July 28.
Kelly said the village had three options for the aging 2008 Ford F550 that is nearing the end of its useful life. Possibilities are to buy a new truck at an estimated cost of $122,000, eliminating expensive future repairs; repair the 2008 truck for an estimated cost this year of $15,000, plus likely future repairs; or to retire the old truck without replacing it, resulting in adjustments in services due to reduction of the village fleet.
Another option would be to use grant funding to cover part of the cost of a new truck, although doing so could reduce funding currently allocated for scheduled road maintenance projects.
“At this point the estimated repair cost is more than the truck’s value,” Kelly said.
The 2008 truck has been used for fall leaf pick-up and spring brush pick-up throughout the village. During the winter, it serves as a backup plow truck when other vehicles break down or additional equipment is needed during major storms.
Kelly advocated for some form of replacement for the truck. “I don’t know of a highway department in the snow belt that does not have a back-up vehicle,” Kelly told the board.
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