Chautauqua County’s Department of Public Facilities director is looking forward to get a long awaited project underway, while at the same time seeking new equipment.

During the legislature’s Public Facilities Committee meeting, DPF Director Tim Card said work on the CHQ Transit hub in Jamestown is expected to begin May 1.

CHQ Transit, previously known as CARTS, has been operating out of 215 E. Third St., Jamestown since 2018. The county purchased the property at the end of 2020 with plans to fully remodel it. The work is expected to cost $820,000. The money has come from a state grant, the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, and the county’s capital fund reserves.

Card also said their salt shed in Sheridan was damaged in January by a windstorm. It will cost $160,000 to replace. The insurance will pay $52,000.

In order to pay for the new salt shed, Card said they will be able to use money not spent this year on salt, due to the lack of snow.

Finally, Card said he would like to request $1.2 million from the county’s fund balance to replace outdated equipment.

He said he would like to replace two plow trucks, four road sweepers, and two shoulder machines.

Card said the 10-wheeler plow trucks are 2010 and 2011 models and have had significant costly repairs over the last 12 months.

“Once one thing is fixed something else breaks. (They’re) becoming money pits,” he said.

For the road sweepers, Card said all four are 2014 models. Two of the four have had significant engine issues, which required the top half of the engines to be rebuilt. The other two machines have had hydraulic drive motor issues and can be hard to start. Also, parts are becoming more difficult to find, since the vehicles are 10 years old.

For the two shoulder machines, Card said they are 1996 and 1999 models. “Both machines have had excessive wear and have had many mechanical issues over the years.

Card said he requested all the vehicles be replaced in the 2024 budget, but his request was rejected.

Committee members asked Card to provide specifics on costs for each vehicle.

County Finance Director Kitty Crow said if the board wants to use fund balance to pay for the request, a resolution would need to be made and approved.

No final decisions were made.