GOWANDA - The village of Gowanda is in need of new wheels and soon. The village board approved the purchase of a new vehicle for the highway department at its recent board meeting.
The current truck is older and has to be inspected at the end of the month. In order to pass inspection a mechanic has quoted it as costing $1,200 to get the truck fixed in order to pass inspection.
Treasurer Cindy Schilling believed the truck has outlasted its time with the village.
Article Photos
OBSERVER Photo by Samantha McDonnell
The Gowanda Village Board approved the purchase of a new vehicle for the Highway Department. Pictured, from left: Trustees John Certis, Paul Zimmerman and Mayor Heather McKeever.
"We're lucky (the truck) has lasted this long," she said.
Trustee Dale DeCarlo and Mayor Heather McKeever both agree the truck is a liability and is not in the safest condition. DeCarlo said the truck's cab sways from side to side when driven.
The board approved purchase of the truck since Schilling said the village will be OK for closing out the current budget year before starting next year's budget. She also suggested the village set up a maintenance schedule for vehicles and replace village vehicles more regularly.
"We need to have money on hand in case these things happen," Schilling said.
The current year's budget has a fund balance left which will cover the bid of the new truck which was won through state bid. The winning bid is for $36,667.72 through Van Bortel Ford.
In other business:
The board declared a 1999 Ford 350 and 1-ton box on a GMC truck that burned and a sweeper that burned as junk. The Ford and the box for the GMC will be put out to bid.
An update on Veterans Park was given. The board approved having 3,600 square feet of concrete removed from the park to continue work on the park.
Eric Wohlers, Cattaraugus County Environmental Health director, gave a presentation on asset management to the board.
The village received $276 for the electronics recycled through the recycling program.
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