Frankfort Township Highway Department Upgrades Aging Fleet, Starts Grant Project

Article Summary: The Frankfort Township Highway Department is in the process of replacing equipment that is up to two decades old, having recently received a new small leaf vacuum and a woodchipper. A larger leaf vacuum is expected by the end of July, and a ditching and culvert grant project is now underway.

Highway Department Upgrades Key Points:

• Highway Commissioner Bill Carlson announced the equipment updates at the township board meeting on Monday, July 14, 2025.

• A new small leaf vacuum and a woodchipper were delivered in late June and early July.

• The department is replacing equipment that is 10 to 20 years old to improve efficiency and reliability.

• A ditching and culvert project has started, supported by a matching grant of up to $25,000.

The Frankfort Township Highway Department is modernizing its fleet with several new pieces of equipment, Highway Commissioner Bill Carlson reported on Monday, July 14, 2025.

Speaking during the board comments portion of the monthly township meeting, Carlson stated that a small new leaf vacuum was delivered two weeks prior, and a new woodchipper arrived last week. A large new leaf vacuum is also expected to be delivered by the end of the month.

“They will be replacing equipment that is 10 to 20 years old,” Carlson said of the upgrades, which are aimed at improving the department’s operational capabilities and replacing an aging fleet.

In addition to the new machinery, Carlson announced that a ditching and culvert grant project began last week. The project is being funded in part by a matching grant of up to $25,000. These infrastructure projects are crucial for maintaining proper drainage and water flow throughout the township’s road system.

Trustee Dave Smith also publicly thanked the road department for its assistance during the township’s 175th birthday celebration in June, specifically for the use of its cherry picker.