The Village of Manhattan’s January 6 meeting lasted only 10 minutes but resulted in the approval of a new snowplow chassis for the public works department.  

The board unanimously authorized the purchase of a 2027 International HV507 SFA Chassis snowplow truck. 

Ahead of the vote, Mayor Mike Adrieansen advised the board the purchase was necessary because one of the village’s existing trucks was out of commission and needed a new engine. The broken-down truck also had extensive rust, Adrieansen said.

The board memo from Public Works Supervisor John Tyk indicated the 2015 snowplow truck had to be towed after the engine failed to crank over. A cost estimate to fix the existing engine was obtained, and it would cost between $60,000 to $75,000 to rebuild or repair. Given the truck’s age, extensive rust, and engine, it was deemed more cost-effective to replace the chassis and reuse the plow and related equipment.

“This is a chance to pick up a new chassis and then upfit it with all the old dump bed and everything, and a salt spreader,” Adrieansen added.

The new truck will be purchased from Rush Truck Centers for $109,132.17.

There was no other business to attend to other than approving last month’s meeting minutes, the December 2025 executive session minutes not for release, and January bills totaling $841,725.27. It is worth noting the bulk of the bills were due to costs associated with the Well 7 project.

Tyk informed the board the Well 7 project is moving along and is on schedule. He anticipates the well vessel to be installed in February.

Trustee Justin Young participated by phone following board approval for remote attendance. 

The village’s Community Development Director, Marc Nelson, updated the board regarding 31 single-family lots next to the Prairie Villas. He met with the developer, and they are wrapping up engineering. A final plat should appear on the agenda in the near future.

Before the meeting concluded, Trustee Bob Dilling asked Village Engineer Carrie Pintar when construction on Eastern Avenue would resume. Pintar advised that it depends on when asphalt companies reopen after winter. She said they are communicating weekly regarding the schedule.

“It was a nice, easy one for the first one of the year,” Adrieansen said of the brief meeting.

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