CBS changes gears on garbage truck acquisition policy

By Craig Westcott

The Town of CBS is going to try a different route when it comes to acquiring garbage trucks; it’s going to lease them instead of buying them.

The motion to lease two vehicles, both equipped with automated arms for lifting up and dumping residential garbage bins, was made by Ward 4 councillor Melissa Hardy, who chairs council’s engineering committee.

“We’re just trying to keep up with (the requirements of) our fleet,” Hardy said. “We’re just trying to get the trucks to make sure we have a good complement in our fleet.”

Mayor Darrin Bent pointed out the decision to lease the trucks is a turning point.

“So, we’re getting the best that the truck has to offer and we’re going to try to get another one maybe,” Bent said.
“Yes, fingers crossed,” said Hardy noting the move is to see if leasing is more cost effective than buying.

“Absolutely,” said Bent. “It’s something that we’re not alone in doing and I believe we announced this at budget time last year and it will be good to see how this program works out for us. Hopefully it will work out well, so that there will be less breakdowns for residents to worry about, and of course it might be a little cheaper in the long run because we know recently how expensive it is to maintain these vehicles.”

Hardy said statistics from other municipalities have shown that leasing the trucks is more cost effective.