Council approves equipment purchases; administrator recommends auctioning aging garbage truck

The Township of Washington council on July 14 approved a consent agenda that included the purchase of a new front end loader, authorization to advertise bids for the 2025 local road program and authorization to advertise for bids for a new Department of Public Works (DPW) building. In his administrator's report, Township Administrator Mark DiCarlo said the township's aging garbage truck (a 2006 Freightliner with 77,000 miles) requires extensive repairs that would not be "safe nor fiscally responsible" and recommended the vehicle be sold at auction rather than repaired. "Administration has determined that it is not safe nor fiscally responsible to maintain the truck and recommends co auctioning the vehicle," he said. Council approved consent resolutions that were presented as a single motion. The resolutions passed by roll call included: - Resolution 25-278: refund of performance guarantee and engineering escrow (amounts listed in packet); - Resolution 25-279: authorize purchase of a new front end loader from Jesco, Inc., "in the amount not to exceed $2,213,450" as shown on the consent agenda; - Resolution 25-280: authorize the township administrator to advertise for bids for the 2025 local roadway project on Bergen Avenue, Carriage Court, Fern Street and Salem Road; and - Resolution 25-283: authorize the advertisement for receipt of bids for the new DPW building. DiCarlo explained the funding approach for an available garbage truck purchase. The council had previously approved $600,000 in capital for two trucks; the administration purchased one truck available on the lot for roughly $300,000, leaving a remaining capital balance. To cover the difference for an additional truck, DiCarlo proposed using balances from an existing DPW capital ordinance (Ordinance 22-22) and remaining front-end-loader funds, avoiding the need to rewrite an ordinance or delay ordering the vehicle. Council members asked whether any items originally planned under the 22-22 ordinance would be lost by using the leftover balance for the truck; DiCarlo said the leftover funds are not earmarked for other outstanding purchases and that he would "double, triple check" the account detail before proceeding. No vote was taken on purchasing a second truck on July 14; the council authorized the front end loader purchase and bid advertising and approved using existing funded balances to enable immediate ordering should the council so direct. The village clerk will return with final funds reconciliations and any required ordinance adjustments if needed.

Why it matters: The moves affect municipal solid-waste operations and capital spending, and signal near-term changes to the DPW fleet and a planned new DPW facility and road resurfacing program.