Council reviewed the report and confirmed that the $50,000 savings from the hot mix resurfacing project could be used to help cover the 2021 payments for the financing of the 2020 grader purchase.
Members suggested an alternative option to trade in both graders to buy one new grader. It was noted that currently the Township has approximately 60km of gravel road, which is too much to manage with a single grader. Members debated if the Township should continue with two graders for the time being until staff brings a report back in September to discuss and review options of reducing the fleet to a single unit. Members suggested that there would be very little trade in value for the 1989 and 1997 graders, due to the age of the equipment and the lack of available replacement parts. Members suggested that the 1997 grader could be kept in the fleet as backup, as the new grader may result in a learning curve for employees.
Members noted that there is the potentiality to contract out hours for a second grader if necessary, in future years, with a multi-year contract to realize additional savings. Members inquired if the Township could seek support and borrow a grader from neighbouring municipalities if the 1997 grader broke down. It was noted that the neighbouring municipalities would be using their graders for gravel roads at the same time that the Township would need access to the grader.
Members indicated that the Township received a good price for the new grader. Members suggested that the Township could look at incorporating the contract for the grader with the tender for gravel and indicate that the successful bidder would have to complete the road preparation work with the contracted grader rather than the Township issuing a separate tender for the grader work. Members indicated that this would alleviate the need for a second grader and the Township would only need to complete the top dress of the gravel roads with the Township grader.