Trending
IRON MOUNTAIN -- Officials in Iron Mountain had hoped to save on a new plow truck purchase by transferring a salt and sand spreader from an older truck, but the idea has been scrapped.
City Manager Jordan Stanchina explained Monday that transferring the V-body spreader isn't practical, due to the condition of the mounting components. The city will instead spend $33,406 for a new Bonnell 12-foot spreader.
Under previously approved bids, the city is replacing two 1996 4×4 plow trucks with new trucks at a total cost of $627,675. Trying to squeeze some savings, the city council had agreed to forgo a spreader on one new truck, expecting to transfer the stainless steel unit from an old truck.
While the box itself remains in good condition, the parts used to mount it are rusted and deteriorated, Stanchina said.
"The cost to repair these mounting components would be nearly equal to the cost of purchasing a new V-body spreader," he told the council. Another concern, he said, is the old hydraulic system might do harm to the new system on the truck.
The price for the spreader will be the same as what was quoted last month by Phoenix Bodyworx of Stratford, Wis., for the second new truck on order. The city is buying the Western Star 47x trucks through U.P. Truck Center of Quinnesec, with the first expected for delivery early next year.
In other action Monday, the council:
-- Approved a five-year agreement for Taser 7 licensing through Axon Evidence. The total cost for licensing the police department devices over that period is $2,449. The department recently purchased seven used Taser 7s from the Warren Police Department at $400 each, compared with about $2,700 for new ones, according to Director of Police and Fire Services Jeff Solka. The purchased Tasers, used for about two years, will replace ones at the end of their life cycle.
-- Approved a request from Park Street resident Hector LaVigne to vacate an alley right-of-way 213 feet in length between Ludington and Brown streets, along with 87 feet of the Ludington Street right-of-way on the 1200 block. There were no comments during a public hearing and the city received no written objections. Staff had reviewed the request and expressed no concerns outside of a stormwater discussion, Stanchina said. The alley and street both contain a catch basin, but a majority of the main runs through private property.
-- Learned that any paving work remaining this season in Bacco Construction Co.'s ongoing sewer and water project is scheduled to take place next week.
-- Received an update on loose-leaf collections, which should continue into mid-November. Residents are reminded to place leaves along the edge of the roadway, not on the street, and keep leaves separated from brush or other materials. Dates and areas of collection are posted on the city's Facebook page.
Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.