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Borough to go out to bid on fire truck
(by Karen F. Mrnarevic - December 05, 2007)
The Woodcliff Lake Council voted unanimously to authorize the Borough Clerk to release the specifications of a new ladder truck for the fire department to bidding at its Dec. 3 meeting. On Aug. 20, the Council passed a $990,000 bond ordinance to purchase new equipment for the fire department, $920,000 of which was to be allotted for the new ladder truck.
Before the vote, Mayor Joseph LaPaglia reminded the council to consider all the alternatives before authorizing the large expenditure. “My concern is based upon the size of the expenditure and the fact that I don’t feel confident judging its appropriateness,” said LaPaglia, who had previously favored hiring an independent consultant to review the specs for the truck.
However, given the information provided to the council by the fire department justifying its need for a new truck, and the fact that the borough had anticipated the expenditure for years, all members of the council showed strong support. Councilman Paul Camella said, “I think the fire department did their homework on this, and I agree that they need a new truck.”
In a phone interview, Borough Administrator Ed Sandve said, “We require all of our departments to submit a three year capital plan… We have known about this for three years.” Sandve also pointed out that by the time the fire department receives the new truck, the old truck will be 20 years old.
Councilman Jeff Bader, who has been in the trucking industry for over three decades, pointed out, “Twenty-year-old trucks are tired. They have equipment that doesn’t work… We don’t make these judgements irrationally.” He noted that a great deal of money had already been spent servicing the old ladder truck, and pointed out that as it ages, it will require even more maintenance.
The borough hopes to have the specs ready by the beginning of January. At that time, the borough will open the project up to bidding. Once the bid is awarded, Sandve said, “I believe it’s about 10 months before the truck will be finished.” If everything goes to plan, the fire department will receive its new truck in Nov. or Dec. of 2008, at the earliest.
Karen F. Mrnarevic's e-mail address is Mrnarevic@northjersey.com
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