WARWICK – Thanks to the talent of members of the Department of Public Works’ Automotive and Highway divisions, recycling truck No. 50 has been given new life as a sander, saving the city over $50,000.
Mayor Scott Avedisian, Department of Public Works Director David Picozzi, Automotive Division Chief Don Lavigne and members of the Automotive and Highway divisions will be available for a photo op with the machinery tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the Department of Public Works, 925 Sandy Lane.
Recycling the old truck was the brainchild of Picozzi. Lavigne and his crew – led by Ricky Ball, who did “85 percent of the work,” Lavigne said, as well as Billy Schoeler, Brian Steinkamp and others from the two divisions – shortened the chassis, rerouted brake lines, brake valves and electrical wires and installed a plow and sander system.
Total cost of the project was approximately $14,000, Avedisian said, noting that a new sander would have cost between $70,000 to $80,000.
“These hardworking and talented individuals are to be commended for saving the city such a considerable sum,” Avedisian said, adding that this was not the first time that DPW, by relying on the diverse abilities of its employees, has saved the city money.
In-house work on the renovation of the City Council Chambers, restoration of the historic Pontiac Train Station, construction of the new Dog Park and renovation of the Conimicut Police substation are only a few examples of projects where thousands of dollars were saved, he said.