By Doug La Rocque
Grafton’s Highway Department trucks, pulled off the road last week because most were uninspected, are back up and running, according to Highway Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck. [private]When The Eastwick Press spoke with him Monday night, Hasbrouck said all but one truck had come back from inspections and repairs at Delurey’s Sales & Service in Hoosick Falls, and that truck was completed and scheduled to be picked up the next day. Hasbrouck said he was told by Delurey’s at a Friday meeting, “that the Town was behind the eight ball when it came to the age of the equipment.” Hasbrouck said he will now be promoting an update of the trucks to the Town Board, which has to approve any purchase of vehicles. Hasbrouck also added the turnover of trucks to the garage for inspections and repairs went quickly and smoothly, and had there been a major snowfall he had more trucks than drivers.
Town Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum said that to date, the bill for the inspections and repairs sits at $5,523. As to where the Town goes from here concerning the fleet, Gundrum said it will be a priority for the Board at coming meetings.
Councilman Eric Buckley agreed. He believes the Town’s fleet has gotten too old. “I am looking to get prices for two new trucks to present to the Board at our March meeting.” Buckley said he has been informed that even after an order is placed for a new vehicle, it can take up to six months before it can be delivered. Buckley said he feels the town is wasting money when it keeps footing repair bills for the current vehicles, and that this time and money is better spent working on the roads and increasing productivity. The Board next meets on Monday, March 20 at 7 pm. [/private]