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Matthews approves purchase of combination jet‑vac truck for stormwater maintenance; budget amendment passed
Summary
The board authorized purchase of a new truck‑mounted jet‑vac system (DynaVac JV‑600 model) to improve storm‑drain cleaning and pipe maintenance and approved a related budget amendment drawing on the stormwater fund balance.
The Board of Commissioners on April 28 approved the purchase of a combination jet‑vac truck (DynaVac JV‑600 model) for stormwater operations and approved a corresponding budget amendment totaling $323,354.
Stormwater staff explained the town’s current trailer‑mounted machine is more than 20 years old and underpowered; crews used it for prolonged work clearing a culvert under Matthew Smith Hill Road last year. Staff requested a truck‑mounted system to improve maneuverability in cul‑de‑sacs and to increase water and debris capacity for longer operations. The new unit will also support utility potholing and other maintenance tasks.
Finance staff confirmed the purchase will be funded from the stormwater fund balance; the board approved the motion and then passed the budget amendment to reappropriate $323,354 from the stormwater fund. Commissioners asked staff to place visible signage on the truck as a public‑education tool discouraging residents from blowing or dumping debris into storm drains.
Why this matters: More capable equipment reduces the time crews spend clearing pipes and can improve response times to clogged drains and localized flooding. The truck purchase will reduce vendor or contract costs for some maintenance activities and increase town capacity for preventive maintenance.
Next steps: Staff will order the unit and provide an implementation schedule for delivery and training.
