At the March 3 meeting, the Rushford Village Council Public Works Supervisor Darrin Dessner and Councilor Mike Enber informed the council of yet more continued problems with its Freightliner truck.
The village experienced front-end issues with its previous truck and ordered a new truck in 2021. The build was completed in May 2022. It was sent to Syverson Truck Center to complete fabrication add-ons and adjustments and then delivered later that month. By July 2025, the truck was in service for rear differential repairs at a cost of $9,497.
Last December, during the first storm of the season, Ebner informed the council of an issue with the truck for a second time. According to him, the new parts were “already shot.” A key issue with repairs at the time was that parts were extremely limited with just three needed parts available in the United States. While under warranty, Ebner indicated the parts company fought the coverage while the village was working with Syverson Truck Center to address repairs. At the time, the council questioned whether the dealer will cover the added costs of leasing a standby and any legal ramifications related to the warranty. Total cost of the repairs to the front-differential was $10,080.
Now, after the most recent storm, the truck is having issues again.
“After we got that dusting of eight inches they were talking about, we had all hands on deck … went back out Monday to do some winging, just to clear it from the wind, and we started hearing a noise coming from the Freightliner,” said Dessner. “We did some investigation – thought it was a pulley – took it in and had Brown’s look at it. The whole drive shaft was falling off. We’re going back and forth with Syverson, it’s towed up there, but it sounds like the front end is out again.”
According to Dessner, Syverson Truck Center sent the failed truck parts out to the manufacturer to determine where the defect is coming from. Ultimately, it’s unclear who will be responsible for this third set of repairs for the same issues.
“We’re on standby until we hear back from them,” he added.
The department took pictures for documentation. When asked whether or not the company seems like they will step up and honor the warranty this time, Dessner indicated Syverson thought it would be covered by the warranty. The truck has seen just over 500 miles of service, 100 of that being its delivery back to the village after the last bout.
“They’re a little more guarded this time talking to us this time than they have been. We’re just keeping an open line of communication,” added Ebner.
Initial time estimates are two weeks to determine the extent of repairs with additional time to complete them. The last round of repairs took two months.
“We might be in trouble again here,” said Dessner. “We’re just playing the waiting game here.”
Following the meeting, City Clerk Mary Miner confirmed the ownership and repair details, while expressing hope that if there is another snow, residents will understand that the Public Works Department is doing everything it can.
In other news, the council approved the Request for Proposal for crushed rock. The request will be sent to three companies who’ve previously held contracts or expressed interest – Bruening Rock Products, Milestone Materials, and Kruckow Rock Products. In 2025, the village split the bid between Bruening and Milestone with Bruening being paid $17,235 for its product and services and Milestone being paid $7,216.
Ebner suggested the council put a definitive end date for delivery in the request, noting that the Bruening rock was delivered very late last year. Despite the proposal stating that penalties would be imposed if not on time and noting rock needed to be delivered by the end of October, it was delivered in late November. In addition, Dessner noted the rock was also very wet, which resulted in freezing and additional time needed to break up and dry it out.
The council ultimately did not adjust the request, but suggested Dessner call for rock sooner.
“I know I can get on these guys to get it done,” said Dessner, noting more experience on the job than he had when he was new last year. Bid opening is expected next month.
The only other council action involved unanimous approval of modifications to the Revolving Loan Fund guidelines and application. The most recent change is a $100 application fee after pre-screening approval.
Leave a Reply