City moves to dispose aging vehicles, seeks equipment loan and readies expanded paving program

The Public Service Committee on July 28 reviewed a request to dispose of several aging public‑works vehicles and discussed longer-term fleet-replacement needs and paving plans.

DPW staff asked the committee to sign off on disposal of a 1999 Volvo loader and a 1997 Ford 10‑wheel truck (a frame failure made it undrivable) and said the list of surplus units could total 12 to 15 vehicles. Staff indicated the city needs to replace major items in the fleet: a new loader is “a little over $250,000,” a six‑wheeler with plow and spreader about $350,000, and one‑ton trucks roughly $100,000 each. Replacing a 10‑wheeler with plow and spreader was described at the meeting as approximately $425,000.

Committee members and staff discussed options for financing multiple replacements. DPW said it is working with the mayor and city auditor to explore a multi‑year equipment loan that could cover DPW and other municipal departments over a five‑year horizon instead of continuing to subsidize equipment from Chapter 90 funds intended for streets.

On paving and Chapter 90 funds, staff reported the city typically receives about $600,000 annually but that the state allocation this year is expected to be roughly $1.1 million; final state approval remained pending. Staff listed near‑term paving plans including Green Street (Rotary to Bertha), connections at Haywood and Beach, Cross Street, Stephanie Drive and a grant-funded section of Pearl Street from Betty Spring to the Rotary. Staff cautioned that construction season is now shorter and many municipalities will seek to use funds quickly.

The committee agreed to the disposal sign‑off for the identified vehicles and asked staff to return with procurement and financing proposals for fleet replacement and a prioritized paving list once Chapter 90 funds are finalized.