Bowden looking to replace garbage truck

The Town of Bowden is actively pursuing replacement of its garbage truck.

Council passed a motion at the Aug. 8 meeting to direct administration to look into either purchasing or leasing a new truck or to purchase a used truck. The current truck the town has is about 20 years old and is not drivable due to a worn-out transmission.

Council was presented with a range of options last week ranging from renting a 40-yard bin to using a commercial pickup service or purchasing a new truck. Andy Weiss, the town’s manager of planning and development services, told council it would be more cost-effective to purchase a truck rather than lease it. Although there was considerable discussion amongst councillors on each of the options, council felt it was more cost-effective and would give the town more flexibility and control over garbage pickup if the town went ahead and purchased a new truck. While they discussed purchasing a used truck, it was felt that going that route wouldn’t be as advantageous as new, because some municipalities — especially big cities — can wear out their vehicles in a matter of four or five years.

Another of the options was to have a commercial truck come and pick up garbage in a front load manner, but that was rejected because it would involve residents leaving their bins out in the front of their homes.

Coun. Pat Doll said this was rejected due to the unsightly nature of having garbage visible at the front of properties.

“I don’t think that’s something our community is looking at. We’re looking at going with our own truck,” he said.

Doll said it was far better for the town to purchase a truck than lease one. Administration is still investigating the potential costs.

“Economically, it’s cheaper in the long run to (purchase a new truck) than to proceed with the other options. To own our own truck versus leasing out, the community is saving 50 per cent by owning their own,” he said.