Some cutting edge collecting
Custom-built garbage truck arrives in Rankin Inlet
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, November 12, 2014
RANKIN INLET
The crew responsible for trash pickup is riding in style after the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet received its new CAT-built garbage truck this past month.
Driveroperator John Kabvitok is impressed with the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet's new CAT-built garbage truck in Rankin this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
The hamlet's previous truck was destroyed by fire this past summer.
Acting SAO Justin Merritt said it was a relief to see the truck finally arrive.
He said credit is due to the hamlet employees who did an excellent job keeping up with the community's garbage with two makeshift vehicles while waiting for the new ride.
"The workers did a very good job with what they had, but this new truck makes the job so much easier," said Merritt. "We now require less people to do the job. So we're no longer paying extra wages we really couldn't afford, but it was what we had to do at the time."
Merritt said the new truck is built by Caterpillar (CAT), which sent it to another company to have the compacter installed.
He said it's a modern, custom-built vehicle that should provide years of trouble-free operation.
"We actually ordered the vehicle before the start of the hamlet's new fiscal year, which was around late January or early March.
"It's somewhat similar to our previous one, but a lot more high tech, with more safety features and 25 per cent more capacity."
Merritt said the hamlet's plan is to add another truck before the new one gets too old.
He said, for now, the hamlet is keeping its modified flat bed pick-up truck for times there's an increase in the volume of garbage, such as in the summer and around the holiday season in December.
"A couple of years ago, hamlet council passed a schedule it wants for renewing vehicles and, if everything goes well, we won't wait as long to get a new one. Hopefully, this truck will be a backup for a new vehicle in five or six years. We hope to be able to do that with all our equipment, and not be depending on anything that's 12 or 13 years old.
"We put a down payment on this truck, with the balance being paid over five years, so as soon as this one is paid for we should start to lease a new one."
