Page 8 - July August 2017 Vol 35 No 2

The City of Graysville, and Towns of
Kimball and Jasper all made the change
to automation within a year period. And
they all reaped the benefits.
Jasper was the first to make the change.
Mayor Paul Evans was the driving force in
this transaction. He recognized the need
for change and researched his options. In
his words, “When I was elected Mayor, it
was immediately apparent that our Street
and Sanitation Department needed im-
provements.” He proceeded to make those
improvements. He checked the equipment
available, the dealer support and the his-
tory of use in his area. “We decided that we a different route. “A few years ago, I went
needed a new garbage system... a complete
system. We chose Stringfellow in Chatta-
nooga. They had a complete system for us.
“Our main concern was the safety of
our employees. Our old truck, a HEIL rear
loader, was 15 years old. It took three men
to operate it, two had to ride on the back
and manually lift every resident’s garbage
can. The new garbage truck only requires
one employee to drive/operate it. No one
has to be out in the extreme heat, extreme
cold, rain and no longer in danger of
being hit by another vehicle. The work is
less strenuous and our workman’s comp
claims have greatly decreased.”
Evans in those thoughts presented the
reasons for automated collection. The
other mayors agreed. In Kimball, Mayor
Rex Pesnell had the same thoughts. “We
had to replace our old truck. We checked
three different options for service: replace from spreading over town. The new cans
the truck with the same type truck, buy
an automated system, or contract out the
service. After much consideration, the
town decided on the automated sanitation
truck. The truck reduces worker compen-
sation claims and no one is riding on the
back of the truck. Our crew should not
have to handle hazardous items placed in
the cans because the automated arms lift
the cans.”
Mayor Ted Doss of the Town of
Graysville came to the same conclusion by
to the Elected Officials Academy. In one
of our classes, we had a discussion about
sanitation trucks. The instructor showed
us the advantages of automated side load-
ing trucks. The insurance is cheaper, only
one employee vs. three, and it is much
safer than having men riding on the back.
I shared this knowledge with the City
Commission. We purchased the truck and
containers.”
All three towns reached the same con-
clusion and all purchased HEIL Liberty
side-loading automated units and Toter
containers. And all have been satisfied
with the change. In Kimball, Pesnell says,
“The town is cleaner since going to the
automated truck. Everyone has the same
style cans. The Toter cans are heavy duty,
making it harder for wind or animals to
City of Graysville: (L to R) David Sulcer, Charles ‘Punkin’ Dennis was a
Commissioner; Tracey Pankey, City Recorder;
and Mayor Ted Doss.
knock them over which prevents debris
give uniformity to the town with our
town’s logo on the cans. Also, our main-
tenance men really take care of the truck
because the truck makes their job easier.”
Evans had even more to say. “Efficiency
was a big reason we needed the truck. We
are able to complete our garbage pickup
approximately 40 percent faster than
before. We have gone from collecting gar-
bage four days a week with three employ-
ees, to one employee collecting garbage in
two and one-half days, with zero job loss.
This frees up two employees to do other
important jobs around town.”
And he also loves the Toter containers.
“The new large containers are easy for the
truck to lift, large enough to hold several
bags and make the streets look cleaner
and nicer.”
So every one of the towns are happy
with their choices of automated trucks
and containers. Each of the mayors
summed their thoughts up in a similar
manner. Evans said, “We are extremely
pleased with this purchase! This truck has
been a huge success and a great asset to
our community!”
Pesnell said, “All in all the automated
sanitation truck is a pleasure to operate
and works well in the Town of Kimball.”
Doss of Graysville summed up, “We are
well pleased with going automated.”
life-long resident of Graysville and a
member of the Board of Mayor and
Commissioners. After being elected
to the board in 2008, he began
working with the mayor on a plan to
upgrade the sanitation equipment
to an automated system. Although
he knew cost would be a major
hurdle he also knew that going
from three employees to one would
be a large savings. Unfortunately,
he was unable to see his vision
become a reality. In recognition
of his leadership, Graysville’s new
automated sanitation truck was
dedicated to the memory of Charles
‘Punkin’ Dennis on June 1.
View online at tnpublicworks.com 7