The snow must go on.

And soon, a new snowplow will be at the ready in Northampton Area School District.

Before the Feb. 11 NASD Board of Education meeting got underway, a winter storm warning issued through Tuesday night forced NASD Superintendent of Schools Joseph S. Kovalchik to announce the cancellation of Feb. 12 classes. At the meeting, plans to purchase a snowplow truck moved into high gear.

“We have to act on the truck sooner than later,” Kovalchik said.

“Can you get it by tomorrow?” Kovalchik quipped to NASD Director of Operations Robert J. Yanders.

“We’re going to need it tomorrow,” Kovalchik said.

The Feb. 12 district schools closing followed a Feb. 11 two-hour delay for the start of classes. Schools were closed Feb. 13 as well.

Yanders explained it would take about two weeks to install the V-plow and salt spreader, which will be removed from the old truck, on the new truck.

The price tag for the new Chevrolet Silverado one-ton, gasoline-powered, four-wheel-drive pickup truck with a stainless steel dump truck bed and salt protection undercoating is $57,789.

The truck can be put into operation for other uses in the district when the plow and spreader are detached.

Payment for the truck is expected to be included in the bills for the payment portion of the agenda of the next school board meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 25 in the meeting room of the administration building, 2014 Laubach Ave., Northampton.

The truck replaces a 1998 Chevrolet one-ton pickup truck.

“I looked at the (1998 Chevrolet) truck,” school board President David Gogel said. “There are four places where the frame’s cracked. The brake lines are rotting out. The dump truck bed is not going as high because of the hydraulics.

“It’s a never-ending fix problem,” Gogel added.

“It’s a very good price from what I see out there,” Gogel said of the new truck.

The district will attempt to sell the old truck at an auction.

Although the new truck wasn’t ready for the Feb. 12 snowstorm, it’s expected to be in operation before the next school board meeting.

Also at the Feb. 11 meeting, school directors were lauded in recognition of School Board Director Recognition Night.

Each director was presented with thank-you posters from district elementary school students.

Directors enjoyed coffee, cookies and fruit after the meeting.

Kovalchik praised NASD school directors, saying, “This group’s been together for a number of years. We work very well together. This group wants to move the district forward, whether it’s facilities, the budget or academics for the some 40,000-plus residents. It’s a very productive board that does great things for our district and community,” Kovalchik said.