WINCHESTER, Ill. (WGEM) – Utility workers in Winchester, Ill., say they desperately need to replace two of the six trucks in their fleet.

They said these multi-faceted trucks are an important investment for the city so they can efficiently move gasoline, water, gravel laying and other important street projects.

Winchester Utilities Supervisor John Simmons said they were using their fleet trucks to carry out their annual citywide cleanup during the week of Thursday.

He said the 2005 Chevy he was driving wouldn’t last long.

“It’s got (123,000) miles on it,” Simmons said. “It has been used for snow removal and has been for years. It was a good truck but it’s starting to have issues like oil usage and that.

Simmons said the trucks were also starting to look unattractive, like torn seats and the car’s exterior gradually rusting.

Since these trucks do heavy work like snow removal, he said they deteriorate faster than a personal vehicle. That means 125,000 miles on a fleet truck takes more wear and tear.

Simmons said he flagged the need for two new heavy trucks at a recent board meeting.

“We’ll have to know the cost and all that and all,” Simmons said. “And what we are looking at, and that will be the decision of the city council.”

City hall officials have said they support the investment, but the main problem is finding them.

Second Ward Alderman Bill Jacquot said they were hoping to do business with their local dealership.

“Dealers, locally and out of the region, are struggling to find vehicles,” Jacquot said.

He and Simmons said they don’t know how long it might take before their local dealer can get them a truck. Jacquot said no matter what, getting these new trucks is a necessity.

“They are used every day,” Jacquot said. “No questions about their use. They get one of the worst treatment due to the local to local location and they are not on the highway.

Jacquot and Simmons said they are looking to invest in new rather than used trucks.

They said current market rates are between $40,000 and $80,000 per truck.

Once they have the trucks, they will need to invest in a new backhoe and other equipment.

Copyright 2022 WGEM. All rights reserved.