Smithtown Town to Purchase 11 New Trucks After Blizzard

Smithtown Town officials will purchase of 11 new dump trucks with plow attachments to update its aging Highway feet. 

Smithtown Town Board approved the purchase of 11 six-wheel dump trucks through a county-run equipment acquisition program at its May 23 meeting, Newsday reports. 

Smithtown officials faced heavy criticism from local residents for it's response to the February blizzard that dumped up to 30 inches of snow on various parts of town. Glenn Jorgensen, Smithtown's Highway Supervisor, said its aging fleet of vehicles and maintenaince problems were partially to blame. 

Jorgensen said he expects to receive 3 to 4 of the newly ordered vehicles built to the town's specifications by this upcoming winter. He estimated the replacing 10 trucks would say the town approximately $100,000 per year in repairs. 

Town officials plan will have to borrow money for the trucks. By borrowing, the town will skirt the state's limits on the town's use of taxpayer money to purchase heavy equipment- currently capped at $800,00 for Smithtown. 

Read more on Newsday [subscription required] on the town's plow purchase.