Sunnyside to buy lights, salt spreader
By KEVIN SCANNELL
Sun Advocate reporter
Sunnyside city councilors are preparing the city for the current winter season and getting a jump start on next year with approvals to purchase a salt spreader and new Christmas lights.
Three bids for a salt spreader were up for discussion by councilors as the bids for the equipment were listed at $4,879, $5,590 and $6,891. After discussion about the pricing and the specifications for each bid, councilors voted unanimously in favor of the bid of $6,891 for a salt spreader from Tesco Williamsen.
"As everybody is aware, we really need one (salt spreader)," said Mayor Doug Parsons.
The councilors chose the higher bid for reasons including having better equipment, longer lasting, better longevity and the warranty that comes with the salt spreader.
With the recent weather in the area including a few inches of snow, the city is in need of having a salt spreader. At a previous city council meeting, councilors mentioned that the city currently has its workers throw the salt on the roads by hand and has been doing it that way for the past few years.
Noting the danger, not only to city workers but residents driving on the streets, councilors said that a salt spreader is a necessity for safety reasons.
"We certainly need to do something before someone gets hurt," said Councilor Nola Roberts.
To help pay for the salt spreader, the city will use Class C road funds to cover the costs.
One possible setback to the purchase of the salt spreader is that it is estimated to take six weeks until it is delivered to the city. While the winter season is already here and the need being high for the salt spreader, Parsons said that there is the possibility the machine could arrive early than anticipated.
Another topic discussed by the council included the purchase of Christmas lights for next year.
The council passed a unanimous motion authorizing the use of $250 towards Christmas lights. The city is in need of lights due to some lines being cut and the need to update their inventory when older strings of lights burn out.
Councilor Tony Riffle said it would be best for the city to wait until after Christmas to buy the lights because the prices drop after the holiday season concludes.
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