(Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Snow removal

Council revisits decision on snow plow truck purchase for airport

May 26, 2021 | 9:37 AM

It looks like the local North Battleford airport will be getting a new snow plow truck after all this year.

While the motion was defeated at its prior meeting in May, city council had another vote on administration’s recommendation to purchase the new equipment at its meeting Tuesday, and ended up with the majority in favour this time.

Coun. Greg Lightfoot asked to bring the issue back to the table since one of the councillors was not present for the last vote.

At the May 10 meeting the vote was split, with councillors Kelli Hawtin, Greg Lightfoot and Kent Lindgren in favour, and Bill Ironstand, Len Taylor and Mayor David Gillan opposed. In the end the motion was defeated.

However, after some discussion at this week’s meeting, with all councillors present, the motion was carried. Councillors Ross MacAngus, Hawtin, Lightfoot, Lindgren and Taylor supported the proposal, while Gillan and Coun. Ironstand were opposed. As a result, the resolution was passed.

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Council agreed to purchase a 3-ton plow truck with gravel box and high-speed front-mount runway plow unit from Freightliner Truck Centre (Saskatoon) Ltd. for $219,768. A sweeper purchase was deferred.

The city budgeted $130,000 to purchase the equipment used. However, administration indicated a used unit isn’t currently available on the market due to the financial impact of COVID-19.

However, since a tandem truck purchased earlier this year came in under budget, the city was able to use the savings to make up the difference for the new 3-ton plow truck cost.

The city airport has been using a city roads’ truck since its previous 1978 3-ton truck and plow was removed from service in 2018 after its frame cracked.

Lightfoot said it will be better to have the interim truck returned to its original use for city roads over the winter, and stored indoors when not being utilized. It can’t be used for both locations as it could track salt and debris on the runway after being used on city roads.

Mayor Gillan said he wanted the city to keep trying to find used equipment for the airport instead of purchasing it new.

“We budgeted to spend $130,000 to find us some good equipment,” he said. “That’s what was approved. My perspective was that COVID will not last forever and there are opportunities [the used equipment] will develop again in the marketplace. My perspective is not to not purchase, but how to purchase what was approved.”

Hawtin said council already included the airport plow in its 2021 budget so should make the purchase. There was a one per cent tax increase strictly for the city’s capital needs.

“I think we are accountable to the ratepayers when we set our budget and we ask for a one per cent tax increase because of the items we have debated,” she said.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow