Lynn DPW fleet lands six new trucks

LYNN – Six new pickups are a nick-of-time purchase for the city after three public works vehicles failed to pass inspection.The public works department?s top official Monday confirmed that the old vehicles flunked and that Ford F250 trucks mounted with plows will replace them. They cost a total of $200,000, and the purchase adds new vehicles to a city snow plowing and maintenance fleet that includes 50-year-old equipment.Acting Interim Public Works Commissioner J.T. Gaucher said the trucks will be used as “chasers,” scouting the city during storms with drivers looking for streets left unplowed or poorly plowed.Prior to a vote by city councilors last week approving the truck purchase, Gaucher acknowledged an offer by councilors to drive the trucks.Councilors Darren Cyr and William Trahant Jr. suggested they could do a good job roving local streets on the lookout for ones in need of additional snow clearing. They crisscross Ward 2 and Ward 3 during snow storms to monitor city plowing efforts, and they respond to constituent calls about blocked streets and driveways.?We?re the people who get the calls. Would you ever consider putting us in the trucks?” Cyr asked Gaucher.Gaucher acknowledged the offer without committing to it.?It?s certainly good to have another set of eyes out there with people who know the area,” Gaucher said.The city typically sends out 200 plows and trucks during storms dumping several inches of snow. Gaucher said public works officials are in the process of hiring contractors, and Associate Public Works Commissioner Lisa Nerich said six short-term employees will be hired for 16 weeks to provide additional help during the winter.Cyr said he patrols streets in Ward 3 and responds to residents? calls because contractors hired to plow during large storms don?t always do a good job.?I see contractors out there who shouldn?t be hired. I?m tired of hearing ?I?ll get there when I can,?” he said.Cyr and Trahant pushed with fellow ward councilors during summer city budget hearings for increased public works spending to improve snow clearing, city tree clearing and other maintenance work.Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy told councilors during the hearings she planned to focus city spending on public works through next year in the wake of increased public safety spending. The police and fire departments have added new employees since 2010, with some of the hires offsetting the loss of retiring police officers and firefighters.Gaucher said public works is seeking state money to boost the city?s heavy equipment fleet with the purchase of a 10-wheel truck. He expects state approval for the $212,000 purchase will come next week.