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Council proposes replacement of two trucks
(by Erin Patricia Griffiths - July 16, 2008)
Soon the warm days of summer will escape us, giving way to the crisp chill of fall. As changing leaves find their place on the green grass, the residents of Hillsdale will rake them away to their curbs for collection. But with one of the garbage trucks having sustained a cracked blade at the end of the last season, Councilman Jonathon DeJoseph is proposing the purchase of two used trucks for the town.
The 1983 garbage truck that labors through the mounds of leaves left along the streets of Hillsdale is presently sitting in a lot in
Paterson awaiting the council’s decision. According to DeJoseph, repairs for the blade, which periodically compresses the contents in the truck, have been estimated between $10,000 and $12,000.
In looking at other trucks, DeJoseph found used garbage vehicles ranging in price from $20,000 to $40,000, even some as much as $75,000. After having spoken with Keith Durie, superintendent of public works, he has found two trucks available for approximately $31,000. The trucks were manufactured in 1996 and 1997, and are a Western Star and Mack truck.
DeJoseph approached the council for approval to go out to bid for trucks with similar descriptions. Harold Karns, borough administrator, said there is a need to collect the information, draw up the specs for used trucks, detailing the age and mileage requirements of the vehicles, and to then allow for other outside individuals with trucks meeting the proposed specs to have the opportunity to bid.
If $31,000 turns out to be the lowest bid for the two trucks, Karns recommends that the town lease the trucks over the next three years, with payments of approximately $10,000 to $12,000 a year. The borough’s current trucks would also bring in some revenue to the town, with one dealer having offered $2,500 for one truck, according to DeJoseph.
DeJoseph conveyed strong feelings on the need for the purchasing of two used vehicles. “The truck is obviously broken right now. Leaf season is coming up. As Harold [Karns] said, we could put it out to bid and if we wanted to do something different, or something else comes up, we could definitely change our minds. We’re not set in stone to get these specific trucks, or any truck for that matter.”
Karns says it is worth putting out the bid. In having spoken with the Division of Local Government’s purchasing expert Joseph Valenti, Karns was told that a similar situation produced bids resulting in costs much lower for better trucks.
Although the trucks were not accounted for in the budget hearings five months ago, DeJoseph has expressed the purchase of the vehicles is necessary for the borough. “It’d be great not to spend the money,” DeJoseph said, “but it is something we are going to have to spend the money on to do our leaf program in the fall.”
The council approved the motion to go out to bid and hopes the situation will be resolved in time for the leaf collection program in the upcoming season.
Erin Patricia Griffiths' e-mail address is GriffithsE@northjersey.com.
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