Central Huron exploring equipment purchases to reduce long-term costs

Central Huron Council is considering two equipment purchases aimed at reducing long-term operating costs for the municipality’s roads department.

In a report presented to council on May 4, recommended using part of a surplus from the recent grader purchase to buy a used conveyor and a sifting bucket for the municipality’s excavator.

The proposed purchases include:

• A used stacker conveyor at $30,000

• A new or used sifting bucket for an excavator at an estimated cost of $30,000

According to the report, the municipality currently pays outside contractors to stack winter sand at municipal sites. In 2025, Central Huron paid Huron County nearly $9,600 for two days of sand stacking work in Londesborough and Holmesville.

Staff believe owning a conveyor would allow the municipality to handle the work internally, creating savings over time. The conveyor could also be used at gravel pits and compost sites. A neighbouring municipality has also expressed interest in renting the equipment when needed, potentially generating additional revenue.

The second proposed purchase, a sifting bucket, would help staff separate stone from clay at the Dale Pit. Currently, the municipality screens sand to remove stone before using the material at the Josling Pit for gravel production.

The report estimates Central Huron spends approximately $16,000 annually on sand screening. Staff say the sifting bucket could eliminate the need for screening for up to two years, allowing the equipment to pay for itself through operational savings.

Funding for the purchases would come from a $124,532 surplus remaining from the municipality’s grader acquisition, with staff recommending that $60,000 be allocated toward the equipment.

The proposal aligns with several goals in Central Huron’s Strategic Plan, including strong governance, economic development, and improved infrastructure.

Council is expected to review the recommendation as part of its ongoing budget and infrastructure planning discussions.