Mayor John P. Colbert recently announced the addition of five new vehicles to the Mineola Department of Public Works Fleet. Superintendent of Public Works Lou DiDomenico explained the importance of each vehicle and what role it will fill in the Mineola fleet.

The 1998 International Model 2554 Truck Chassis with Leach 2-R11 Packmaster will be utilized by the sanitation department during normal refuse and garbage collection and recycling.

The truck has a 20 yd. body in which it packs and stores garbage and collects recyclable items such as bottles, plastics, aluminum, newspapers and compost materials.

It replaces the oldest truck in the fleet and features an automatic transmission and safety features to improve garbage collections.

The 1998 GMC 4 x 2 Pick Up Truck with Lift - Gate will also be utilized by the sanitation department in the removal of bulky items that have been disposed such as washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners. It replaces a 1986 vehicle in the DPW fleet.

The 1998 Mechanical Street Sweeper replaces the 1989 street sweeper and will be used to clean various streets and village properties.

The 1998 International Model 4700 Truck chassis with Thiele Heavy Duty Dump Body, Central Hydraulics, Stainless Steel Hopper Type Spreader and Polymer Moldboard Snowplow replaces a 1978 truck.

The truck features improvements in snow-fighting equipment such as a stainless steel sandspreader built for durability. The truck will be utilized for tree removals, road work, asphalt and concrete walk, leaf removal, debris removal and any materials needing disposal.

On its way to the DPW is the 1998 International Model 4700 Truck Chassis with Forestry Aerial Device and Chipper Body. It is an improvement to the DPW fleet combining two services in one.

The aerial device on the new truck is able to go 60 feet in the air as opposed to the 1986 truck which can only reach 40 feet into the air. The reason for the change according to the superintendent is the safety factor provided by the extended reach of the aerial device.

This vehicle will also be used for the hanging of Christmas decorations, banners, etc. and maintenance of buildings as it provides greater accessibility to the rooftops and gutters.

This vehicle will join the current similar vehicle in the fleet.

"The equipment is greatly appreciated by myself and this department," said DiDomenico, "We thank the mayor and the village board for these vehicles and their continued support."