In preparation for the coming winter, the Town of Deep River has purchased a brand new Freightliner commercial truck, complete with an extra large plow and an electric sand and salt spreader.

“This truck is replacing the oldest one in our fleet, which we have already replaced the body twice on, and re-worked the engine once on. That old truck has served the town well and it was time for us to get a new one,” said First Selectman Angus McDonald.

The new $160,000 truck is currently being built and will be delivered to the town sometime at the end of October or the beginning of November, just in time to tackle any upcoming winter storms. A line item covering the purchase was included in the town’s 2018-’19 Highway Department equipment budget.

Deep River’s new truck, which is state of the art, uses electronic controls on its salt and sand spreaders, which allows the town track usage and estimate how much sand and salt is getting into the drainage systems. McDonald said while the state doesn’t currently require that ability, it is expected to in the near future.

The new truck will also be larger than the truck it is replacing, allowing it to carry more sand and salt, which will require fewer trips back and forth from the town garage during inclement weather. In addition, it will also have an improved front axle that will allow it to more easily maneuver some of the windier, narrow back roads, according to McDonald.

Plans are currently being explored as to what will be done with the old truck, but McDonald expects it will be sold to another town that needs it, or it will be auctioned off.

“The new truck will be a welcome addition to our fleet,” said McDonald. “We need it to ensure that we have the necessary equipment to keep our roads safe, clear, and usable even during inclement and stormy weather and this truck will help us do that.”