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Delaware City adds grapple truck and moves toward automated refuse fleet
Summary
Public Works Director Bill Ferino said the city bought a $237,000 grapple truck to improve bulk pickups and is transitioning to automated side‑load refuse trucks (fleet to be largely automated by next year), noting efficiency gains and lower injuries.
Public Works Director Bill Ferino told the Finance Committee the city recently received a new grapple truck (PacMat grabbing truck) purchased for $237,000 and deployed immediately to remove storm debris. Ferino said the grapple reduces labor needs for bulky items and that demand for bulk pickups has risen to "probably over a 100" stops per week.
"We purchased it, and it was delivered this year, a $237,000 piece of equipment," Ferino said, noting the truck was in service the day before a recent storm and helped clear debris. He added that the city is replacing older refuse vehicles with automated side‑load trucks and will have nine automated trucks in service after the next purchase, with two backup rear‑load trucks retained for yard waste and commercial service.
Ferino said the city is exploring options to acquire high‑quality used specialized equipment (such as runway brooms earlier in the presentation) at lower cost and is looking for ways to extend equipment life, including a proposed drive‑thru truck wash to reduce corrosion.
