City purchases new leaf collection truck

SANDUSKY — Sandusky officials sprung into action, taking care of a fall-related situation while still in summer.During a recent public meeting, city commissioners recently committed about $52,000 to purchase a new leaf collection vehicle.The vehicle should make its debut in Sandusky soon, in time for the upcoming fall season.David Borsick, the city's chief streets division foreman, explained the• The vehicle: "It is a leaf vacuum trailer."• The swap: "It is being purchased to replace older, less effective equipment. This allows the crew to continue leaf season with a more reliable machine."• The enhancements: "One truck and trailer (the new vehicle) will replace three trucks with leaf boxes (the former leaf collection process). It will reduce downtime (through) switching trucks and dumping trucks. There will be less downtime on repairs versus the old leaf vacuum. There will be better functionality, which means less strain on workers. All trucks can now be ready for a snow event without having to shuffle leaf boxes for salt boxes."• The benefit: "By increasing efficiency and reliability, crews can get leaves picked up and keep them out of the sewer system. It also frees staff to work on other projects, like striping and crack sealing."Sandusky city commissioner Dick Brady also talked about the vehicle's importance."Sandusky's neighborhoods present unique challenges in gathering leaves. We have homes built very close together and a lot of on-street parking. We don't have the luxury of using a high-tech truck with one stationary operator. We have to weave around vehicles and boulevards full of trees to get at the leaves. This will always require more labor. Our savings with this new equipment comes by not spending labor on mounting the equipment and then dismounting it on the same trucks we use to plow snow." Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.Sandusky city commissioners committed about $52,000 for a new leaf collection vehicle. The vehicle aims to streamline leaf collection services.