Putnam County Government: Snow Plow Restoration

Press release from the Putnam County Government:

November 9, 2021

Immediate Release

Putnam County Executive

MaryEllen Odell

845-808-1001

November 9, 2021

Putnam County’s Department of Highway and Facilities is proud to announce that it has completed the
restoration of its 1959 FWD snow thrower. What started as an inventory check of snow equipment
turned into a restoration of a historic Putnam County vehicle.
The historic vehicle was originally purchased new by Putnam County on December 15, 1959. All original
documentations are on file and remains a “matching numbers” original vehicle. The vehicle was in
service for almost forty years and served faithfully from 1959 to 1998 where it sat dormant since. A
copy of a historic newspaper article, believed to be the Putnam Trader was in the file and noted the
vehicle’s service during the storm of January 28, 1977 where two Putnam County Highway staff, Albert
Hudson and George Anderson, Jr. of Patterson trailered the FWD to Watertown, NY to assist in the
emergency operations and “spent eight days. . . clearing away some of the 273.5 inches of snow with
drifting as high as 30 feet”.
The 1959 FWD has always been admired for its history with the County, classic style, durability and
simplicity. After discussions between Commissioner Pena and Fleet Manger/Chief Mechanic Vitiello the
project started in 2017 as a part-time effort to determine IF the classic could come back to life. With
that, the vehicle was turned over (towed) to Lead Diesel Mechanic, Lonny Vlashi. Mechanic, Vlashi, is
known not only for his expert work with diesel and heavy equipment, but also for his abilities to restore
and fabricate. The project was in good hands.
After a system’s check of the major components, Mechanic Vlashi, with his quiet easy-going smile,
reassured the Commissioner and the Chief Mechanic, “sure, we’ll get her going again”. As with all of his
work, Mechanic Vlashi meticulously and methodically investigated and restored all the major systems,
including both gasoline and diesel motors, the snow thrower, and the entire drivetrain. With Chief
Mechanic Vitiello’s help in finding some rare missing parts and supporting the project through all its
phases, Mechanic Vlashi then proceeded to repair all the bumps and bruises, rebuild all major
mechanical and brake components, and then painted the classic to a functionally restored and
“presentable” condition. Vehicle E154 is not just a show piece. E154 is a fully functional snow thrower
and a great value. While it took many hours to restore, the investment in parts was around $5,000.
Front loader snow throwers alone, without the cost of the front loader, cost around $175,000.00.
With pride, Commissioner Pena and the entire department would like to thank Chief Mechanic Vitiello
and especially, Lead Diesel Mechanic, Lonny Vlashi for their “part-time” efforts in restoring the classic
snow-thrower back into our fleet inventory and ready to service Putnam County again

This press release was produced by the Putnam County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.