The Terre Haute City Council approved Resolution 16-20-25, authorizing a $10,000 transfer in the street operations budget to purchase a new hot box for pothole repair and asphalt work.

“It's usually kinda covered in tar, but that actually keeps the asphalt hot as they're doing their work,” Jesse Tohill, the city director of public works, told the council while describing the equipment and its ergonomics. Tohill said the requested machine heats asphalt faster, keeps it hot longer and has an adjustable bed to reduce worker strain.

Council members and at least one resident noted the machine’s utility: Councilperson Thompson said she submitted a 3-1-1 request for potholes near her house and crews used the hot box to fill them within two days. The council moved and approved the transfer on a voice vote.

The street department requested the transfer to move operating-supplies funds into equipment purchase for the hot box. City staff described the purchase as intended to improve efficiency and crew safety during asphalt repair operations.

The council approved the transfer as presented; staff said the machine is in regular use for street repairs.