Similar Content: Illinois DOT Adds Snow Fighting, Safety Software
New York County Restores Antique Snow Thrower
The 1959 FWD snow thrower served Putnam County’s Department of Highway and Facilities for nearly 40 years before the restoration project began.
November 17, 2021
The vehicle was originally purchased new by Putnam County on December 15, 1959.
Photo: Putnam County Department of Highway and Facilities
1 min to read
The Putnam County, New York, Department of Highway and Facilities announced that it has completed the restoration of a 1959 FWD snow thrower following an inventory check of the county’s snow equipment.
The vehicle was originally purchased new by Putnam County on December 15, 1959. The vehicle was in service for almost 40 years and served from 1959 to 1998 where it sat dormant since.
After discussions between Commissioner Fred Pena and Fleet Manger/Chief Mechanic Chris Vitiello the restoration project started in 2017 as a part-time effort to determine if the classic could come back to life. With that, the vehicle was towed to the county's Lead Diesel Mechanic, Lonny Vlashi.
Vlashi investigated and restored all major systems, including both gasoline and diesel motors, the snow thrower, and the entire drivetrain. With Vitiello’s help in finding some rare missing parts — which cost the county about $5,000 — Vlashi proceeded to rebuild all major mechanical and brake components, and then painted the classic to its current “presentable” condition.
More Operations
The FleetGap Initiative: Transitioning from Military to Civilian Fleet Roles
FleetGap is working to build the missing bridge between service members preparing for civilian careers and fleet employers facing workforce shortages.
Read More →
How Government Fleets Are Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Practical Decisions
Public sector fleets are using connected technology to improve visibility, but the bigger challenge is building the processes to act on the information it provides.
Read More →
RoadFlex Brings Fuel Tax Compliance and Audit-Ready Reporting to Government, Public Works Fleets
New capabilities aim to help public-sector and public works fleets streamline fuel tax exemptions, reclamation, reconciliation, and audit-ready reporting.
Read More →
2026 Public Fleet Hall of Fame Inductees Honored
This year's class includes leaders whose work has helped shape the public fleet industry.
Read More →
David Renschler Receives 2026 Legendary Lifetime Achievement Award
Andy Campbell of Sourcewell, which partnered with Government Fleet in presenting the award, recognized Renschler.
Read More →
Ross Jackson Jr. Named 2026 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year
His leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence earned him one of the industry's top honors.
Read More →
Public Fleet Professionals Set to Converge as GFX Gets Underway
Known as the largest gathering of public fleet professionals in the nation, GFX will feature in-depth training sessions, emerging fleet technologies, and access to leading suppliers and service providers.
Read More →
The Technician Pipeline: Finding, Keeping, and Promoting Techs Within the Operation
A look at where to find good talent, what fleets are doing to incentivize those techs to stay within the fleet, and what promotion looks like for a technician within the public sector.
Read More →
5 Public Fleet Stories Worth Revisiting Before GFX | The May Dispatch
Public fleet leaders are being asked to prepare for more, communicate better, and make decisions that hold up under pressure.
Read More →
Sponsored•June 1, 2026
Drive More Profit with Greater Fleet Uptime
Fleet downtime costs money. JASPER helps keep vehicles on the road with quality remanufactured components, fast nationwide delivery, and reliable solutions that boost uptime and profitability.
Read More →