County Waste considers compactors purchase | News, Sports, Jobs

The Board of Supervisors will consider the purchases at its next meeting Aug. 13 at the County Office Building.

The board’s Public Works Committee last week supported purchasing the compactors to be placed at county transfer stations.

“This will save us a lot of labor,” department Director of Operations David Rhodes told the committee.

Rhodes said the compactors will be used in conjunction with the single-stream recycling program in Fulton County.

The county will be going with a $216,912 bid for seven compactors to be purchased through Wastequip of Erial, N.J. Supervisors authorized advertisement for bids in May for the compactors, but three responses were rejected due to pricing. Rhodes said steel prices is driving volatile pricing. The board readvertised in June and bids were sent to a dozen companies, with the sole bid coming from Wastequip.

Rhodes’ department wants to help pay for the purchase with transfer of $46,762 from a transfer haul equipment reserve.

He said that all indications are metal prices are expected to increase, so purchasing all seven compactors now is the most economical options.

In another matter, the committee authorized purchase of a new $64,583 compact excavator from state contract for the Department of Solid Waste. The full board again votes Aug. 13 on final purchase.

Rhodes said a compact excavator is included in this year’s county capital plan

He said the excavator will allow greater accessibility in smaller spaces where a standard excavator can’t mobilize. It will be used for landfill ditching, gas well work, and various projects at transfer stations as needed.

Rhodes said the new unit provides a three-year, 3,000-hour warranty.

Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at [email protected].