Paradise purchases several new service vehicles

By Mark Squibb/February 10, 2023

Paradise council approved a number of new fleet vehicle purchases last month.

The first motion was to purchase a municipal street sweeper truck.

Public Works Committee Chairperson Patrick Martin explained the Public Works Department budgeted for one sweeper truck in 2022.

“The Town recently invited tenders for the supply and delivery of one new municipal sweeper,” said Martin. “Several companies expressed interest in the tender, but only one company submitted a qualified bid by the tender closing time.”

That bid, submitted by Saunders Equipment Ltd., came in at $407,500, HST included, exceeding the budgeted amount of $375,000. However, said Martin, there were remaining funds under the Capital Purchase Operations 2022 budget to cover the shortfall, as some other equipment had come in under budget.

Councillor Glen Carew noted that last summer council was awaiting parts for a sweeper. He asked whether the new sweeper would be replacing the older unit. Martin said he did not have the answer on hand, but could clarify for Carew at a latter time. CAO Lisa Niblock then interjected the purchase of the new sweeper would bring the Town’s total to two.

Mayor Dan Bobbett added the first machine is close to reaching it’s life expectancy.

Council also approved the purchase of two new front end loaders with snow clearing attachments to replace older units.

The Town received four tender submissions, and Wayjax came in with the lowest bid of $903,870 HST included.

The Town will use last year’s surplus to pay the bill.

Council next voted on the purchase of a new rear loading waste collection truck.

Martin said several companies expressed interest in the tender, and two would submit bids by the tender closing time.

Saunders Equipment had the lowest of the two bids, coming in at $382,375, HST included.

Finally, council approved the purchase of a 3500 series pickup capable of being equipped with both a rear salter and a front blade to add to the snow clearing fleet.

The only bid came courtesy of Hickman Motors at $78,515, HST included.

“The vehicle is required for snow clearing operations and will go part and parcel with the new salter and front-end loader,” said Martin, who noted the truck will be used to clear smaller lots around town, freeing up larger pieces of equipment.