NEWTON — The Town Council heard a proposal to shift the way it manages its vehicle fleet, a move that could save hundreds of thousands of dollars over a decade, according to a consultant.
The more traditional approach followed by local governments is to buy a vehicle under a bid arrangement, then use it through its useful life, most often racking up six-figure milage on the odometer and years of wear and tear.
But, according to Andrew Luck of Enterprise Fleet Management, who addressed the board at its July 14 meeting, a better approach for public fleet management is to adopt the style of rental and lease companies, where vehicles are sold closer to “mid-life” when they retain more value.
The Newton Municipal Building on Trinity Street is seen in this January 2025 photograph.
Adopting that strategy would reduce the average age of the town’s fleet, which includes police cars, staff vehicles and larger equipment used by the Department of Public Works.
Luck projected fleet savings of nearly $800,000 over 10 years, not only by getting better returns when vehicles are sold, but also from reduced maintenance costs because of a younger average fleet age.
The council took no immediate action and did not indicate whether it may seek options from other fleet management providers.
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In other Newton business …
At the Monday meeting, the council also approved an ordinance which provides for $36,000 for improvements to the town’s pool.
It also authorized Town Manager Thomas S. Russo to work with Hampton Township on a joint project to repave the Newton section of Plotts Road, which goes west from County Route 519, near the Sussex County Community College.
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This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: Newton could save big with better vehicle management, consultant says