Washington Township Highway Department Weighs Quarter-Million Dollar Truck Purchase

Washington Township Board of Trustees Meeting | March 2, 2026

Article Summary: The Washington Township Road District is bracing for significant capital expenditures, with Highway Commissioner Mike Smith advising the board that a replacement for an aging 1988 plow truck could cost upwards of $250,000 and take two years to deliver.

Township Equipment Replacement Key Points:

• The Highway Department is considering replacing its 1988 Mack single-axle truck.

• A fully outfitted new vehicle will cost over $250,000 and carries an estimated two-year lead time for completion.

• The district recently had to purchase a remanufactured engine for its John Deere 772 grader after the original engine block cracked.

• Commissioner Smith is considering selling the township’s road grader, citing a lack of remaining stone roads in the jurisdiction.

On Monday, March 2, 2026, the Washington Township Board of Trustees began preliminary discussions on the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget, focusing heavily on looming, high-dollar equipment replacements required by the Road District.

Highway Commissioner Mike Smith utilized his monthly report to warn the board of significant upcoming capital expenses, chiefly the replacement of an increasingly obsolete piece of heavy machinery. Smith stated he is considering replacing the district’s old International single-axle truck, identified in discussions as a 1988 Mack truck.

The financial and logistical hurdles for the replacement are substantial.

“After talking with some of the local truck builders, it seems that 2 years is about the norm for completion,” Smith wrote in his Highway Department report. He further explained to the board that a fully outfitted new vehicle with the correct specifications will cost over $250,000. Because of the high price tag, Smith noted he needs to review the district’s 2026-2027 budget and actively look for finance options.

In addition to the future truck purchase, the Road District recently absorbed heavy repair costs for existing equipment. Smith reported that the department was forced to purchase a remanufactured engine for their John Deere 772 grader because the original engine block had cracked between the cylinder liners.

Despite the recent repair, the grader’s long-term future in the township fleet is uncertain. Smith indicated to the board that he is considering selling the township’s road grader entirely. He reasoned that there are very few stone roads left in Washington Township to justify the equipment’s upkeep, and noted he could always borrow a grader from a neighboring township if it became necessary.

Clerk Joe Burgess presented the board with a list of major expenses the township has incurred this fiscal year and asked members to consider what capital projects they want to prioritize for next year. Discussions included funding for the mental health program, parking lot improvements, and replacing two 20-year-old furnaces in the building. Draft budgets for both the Town and Road District will be presented for preliminary review at the March 30 meeting, ahead of a final approval window in May or June.