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Committee endorses purchase of leaf vacuum and truck box to speed borough operations
Summary
Narberth staff told the Infrastructure Committee the borough will buy a leaf box ($3,940) and a leaf vacuum ($5,929.91) that mount to existing trucks, improving efficiency for borough property maintenance; the combined cost is $9,869.91, well under the budgeted $15,000.
Program manager Maggie Dos presented a proposed capital purchase to improve borough leaf‑collection operations for borough properties (not residential curbside collection). Dos said the purchase includes a leaf box from Lancaster Truck Bodies priced at $3,940 and a leaf vacuum with swingaway hitch from John Deere priced at $5,929.91 for a combined total of $9,869.91—below the $15,000 amount budgeted in the CIP and below the borough’s formal bid threshold.
Dos explained the equipment mounts to existing public‑works trucks so a single driver and one operator can vacuum leaves directly into the truck, reducing the number of staff and follow‑up sweeping needed under current methods (backpack blowers, zero‑turn mowers, skid steers and manual loading). Committee members asked whether the equipment affects street‑sweeper operations; Dos clarified the leaf vacuum is separate from the street sweeper, which will continue routine sweeping to protect storm drains.
The committee moved and voted to recommend the capital expenditure to council. Staff will forward the recommendation for council action and proceed under the existing procurement thresholds.
