The Portage Board of Works on Monday added to the city’s streets and sanitation truck fleet, but some of the trucks may not come until well into next winter.
The earliest vehicle deliveries likely will be three New Way brand garbage trucks, totaling $697,683.60, scheduled to arrive in city garages within 30 days. The trucks will use better technology, with significantly fewer parts to repair, said Joe Mokol, who heads the streets department.
City officials also said they hope to continue getting extra mileage from its fleet, including a single axle chassis Freightliner brand plow truck for $187,447 from Truck City in Gary. The city has tried to put its trucks, including plow trucks, to more use throughout the year, instead of leaving them in garages until the next winter, said Mayor James Snyder.
That truck should be delivered within 180 days, Mokol said.
The board also approved buying a $229,353 tandem plow truck from Truck City. The truck will have a plow on its underbody to break up packed snow and another plow that can extend from the side.
Finally, the city will buy two medium duty Ford F-550 plow trucks, valued at $211,882, and a Ford F-550 without a plow for $98,941.
The trucks are more versatile, do not require drivers to hold Commercial Driver Licenses, or CDLs, and can hug curbs and street corners during plowing, Snyder said.
Those trucks also should arrive at city garages within 180 days, he said.
Michael Gonzalez is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.