Benton Township leaders say residents will be better served now that a brand new, fully automated trash collection truck has been delivered to the public works department.
Township Supervisor Cathy Yates tells us trustees this week got a look at the $377,000 vehicle, which was put on order when Public Works Supervisor Andrew Jordan learned it was available. She says trustees last year budgeted $350,000 for a new garbage truck, so they had to make a slight budget amendment to make the purchase possible, but it will be worth it.
“You can drive it on either side,” Yates said. “I think it’s a little larger in the cab than the previous ones we bought. And it’s pretty much independent with one driver because you can use the arm with the trash cans.”
Yates says the truck is a practical purchase that now brings the township’s fleet up to six.
“We did this to be more efficient for our residents, and this is not going to be an increase in the trash fee because of the truck. It will be the same. We just want to do better services and be able to do it efficiently.”
Yates says the township has been improving its trash collection service, purchasing bins for residents to use around 2017 and then acquiring more trucks.
Yates notes the trucks run Mondays through Thursdays, collecting trash from residents. On Fridays, they collect debris all over the township. If a resident needs something large picked up, they can just call the township office, and for a small fee, the township will send one of them over.
Photo by Nicholas Gunn.
