Jeannette puts wheels in motion to replace 21-year-old dump truck

Jeannette council is expected to vote Thursday on the purchase of a new dump truck, but it likely won’t be available until next winter.

“The need for replacing this 5-ton truck is a necessity now,” said city manager Ethan Keedy.

Mayor Curtis Antoniak said the truck is 21 years old. The price for the new truck was being finalized, but Keedy said he doesn’t expect it to be more than $245,000.

Council also is expected to approve submitting a grant request to the state Department of Community and Economic Development for $245,000 to cover the costs, Keedy said. Councilman Jim Miller requested help from state Sen. Kim Ward, R-Hempfield, and was directed to apply for the grant, he said.

If council approves the purchase, the body of the truck will be ready in a few months, but the bed won’t be finished until later in 2025.

“The goal is to have it ready to go for next winter,” Keedy told council Tuesday.

The dump truck in need of being replaced is used for clearing snow from several main roads and to tar and chip roads during warmer months. Its age has resulted in some costly repairs.

“It’s costing us thousands of dollars a year to maintain,” Keedy said.

Council also is expected to approve submitting $100,000 worth of grant requests for the state Department of Community and Economic Development on behalf of the community’s public library, baseball association and youth athletic association.

Keedy said the library and baseball association are set to request $25,000 and the youth football group would get the remainder. All of the organizations plan to use the funding for upgrades at their facilities.