Sanitation director says aging truck fleet needs replacement; asks residents to follow cart rules

Sanitation Supervisor Dave Lockwood told the Hillsboro City Council that the department has moved into the old AMTI mechanic shop, giving staff more room for trucks and equipment, but said the fleet faces significant maintenance demands and safety concerns that will require a new truck in the near term.

"It's 22 years old now," Lockwood said of the Freightliner, listing radiator leaks, hydraulic failures and fraying lift cables. He said the truck has needed repeated patches and is increasingly costly to maintain; he noted typical tire replacements and service work can be expensive and that heavy commercial customers sometimes overload residential cans.

Council members discussed procurement options, with staff saying they are considering rotating newer vehicles into backup roles and acquiring a rear-loader as a primary commercial truck. Leasing was discussed as an interim option to reduce upfront costs; staff said used options and new equipment have wide price ranges and that regular rotation will help manage breakdowns.

Lockwood asked residents for help to improve collection efficiency: place carts out by 7 a.m. or the night before, keep carts away from mailboxes, space carts so trucks can reach them, and avoid leaving bags next to full cans. He said crews generally will not exit the truck to pick up loose bags because doing so would significantly slow routes and reduce service reliability.

The council thanked Lockwood and told him to work with staff when the department is ready to pursue replacement or leasing options.