$4 Million Plan Would Replace Fairfield Plows, Trucks And More

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield is expected to spend nearly $4 million on snowplows and other public works vehicles in the next three years.

A $3.92 million, 20-year bond to pay for the trucks and additional equipment was approved earlier in the month by both the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance.

The purchases are a matter of safety, Acting Department of Public Works Manager John Marsilio said, noting issues with some of the trucks have forced the vehicles off the roads amid recent snowfall. Fairfield has seen more than 2 feet of snow so far in February.

“It’s all because of the age of the vehicles,” Marsilio told selectmen Feb. 8. “The fleet has to be updated for the safety of the drivers and the safety of the town.”

All department trucks are equipped for clearing and plowing snow and salting roads on Fairfield’s 27 plow routes. However, eight public works vehicles are over 20 years old and were identified as unreliable in town documents. Of those, six would not pass an annual required Department of Transportation inspection. Public works officials hope to eventually reach the point where no vehicle in the department’s fleet is older than 18 years.

The bond, which selectmen unanimously voted in favor of issuing, will fund public works equipment needs for three years. Planned purchases include nine six-wheel trucks, one 10-wheel truck, two bucket lifts, two loaders, one sweeper, one flatbed, one chipper, one backhoe and one beach cleaner, according to town documents.

The Board of Finance at its meeting last week voted to support the bond with some language changes to clarify the funds would be used for their intended purposes, according to Chief Finance Officer Jared Schmitt. The Representative Town Meeting, which is required to approve the bond, is expected to consider the plan in March.