When most people think of trade shows, the image of a beautiful young lady showing a sleek new car on a revolving pedestal may come to mind — at least more so than an image of the latest in snow plow trucks.
But Bainbridge Township’s new 2016 International five-ton snow plow/dump truck will be featured at the 150-vendor tradeshow during the Ohio Township Association’s annual winter conference at the Columbus Convention Center Jan. 25-28.
Trustees unanimously gave their permission Jan. 9 for the manufacturer to take the big yellow truck to its facility, shine it up and take it to Columbus, where it will be on display at the convention center to show off its state-of-the-art features, including the latest in brine spreading and snow removal.
The $150,000 truck is the newest in the township’s fleet of 12 five-ton trucks, according to Service Director Jim Stanek.
The township has another truck on order, to be delivered before snow flies in the fall. The township typically keeps a plow for 13 years, then sells it at auction, Stanek said.
He told trustees it is an honor to be asked to participate in the trade show.
The OTA conference is one of the largest in the Midwest, with 2,400 attendees representing 1,308 townships, according to the OTA website. Township officials, including trustees, fiscal officers, department heads and support staff attend to get training, learn the latest in 80 educational workshops and network with other local officials from around the state.
Bainbridge trustees, who plan to attend the conference, said they would lend the truck to the manufacturer for the conference as long as the township is listed as the owner on the insurance policy.
Fiscal Officer Janice Sugarman said she would make sure that was the case.
In related business, trustees approved purchasing a Mack cab and chassis for $101,903 and spending another $67,411 to outfit the truck with a dump bed and plow.
Stanek said the purchase is in line with the township’s normal equipment rotation schedule and should be delivered to the township by fall.
In other business, trustees elected Kristina O’Brien as their chairman during the annual organizational meeting. Outgoing chairman Lorrie Sass Benza said she thought it is important for boards to rotate their leadership regularly to ensure that everyone knows the procedures if the chairman can no longer serve.
Jeff Markley will continue to serve as vice chairman. Benza said she was happy to pass the gavel after a challenging year.
Benza will serve as liaison with the police and zoning departments. Markley will serve as liaison with the fire department, and O’Brien with the service department. O’Brien will represent the township with the Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Markley will serve on the Joint Economic Development District committee, and Benza will work with the township buildings and parks.
