The fate of Sisyphus, West Marlborough Township's venerable road grader, was discussed at the township's April 7 meeting.
Supervisor Bill Wylie said the early 1970s Caterpillar grader needs $10,000 to $20,000 worth of work and wondered whether the township should look into trading it in or selling it (it could fetch $20,000 or $25,000) and buying a second-hand one from another municipality.
Township road crew member Hugh Lofting Jr. said he uses the grader to remove snow and to repair gravel roads damaged by heavy rainstorms.
"It had a rough year this year," he said. "I haven't given up on it, but it might be that the end is near."
He said making repairs is complicated by the fact that spare parts and expertise for such an old piece of equipment are difficult to track down.
Mr. Wylie quipped that perhaps the Smithsonian Institution might be willing to purchase the grader for a display of vintage machinery.
I found out that Rob Mastrippolito of Embreeville was the one who named the grader: "I always felt like when I graded it was some sort of cruel punishment, like a modern-day Sisyphus," Rob said, referring to the never-ending task of pushing stone uphill only to have water wash it back down.
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