City moves forward with fire truck purchase
NORWICH – Two weeks after the City of Norwich Finance / Personnel Committee argued against the purchase of a new fire truck, members of the Common Council voted 5-0 in favor of awarding the bid for $314,749 at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Committee members spoke at length about the fire truck purchase during their Dec. 2 meeting, which concluded with the committee moving the possible purchase to the full council without making a recommendation. Sixth Ward Alderman Robert Jeffrey had said during the committee meeting that he wasn’t against getting the truck, but was leery about spending during uncertain economic times. “I’m not against getting the truck, I’m just wondering can we afford it? Is there anything we can do to get the cost down, because it’s a back breaker during these times,” Jeffrey had said at the Finance Committee meeting.
Tuesday night, the Common Council decided to move forward with the purchase. “It’s not that the council wants to spend the money, but we don’t have much choice at this point,” said First Ward Alderman Robert Carey. If the city does not purchase a truck before the end of the year, new regulations will be in place that could raise the cost by as much as $3,000.
“We can’t ignore this. We can’t talk about public safety and then turn our backs on this,” said Fourth Ward Alderman Walter Schermerhorn.
According to Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo, the new truck, manufactured by the Sutphen Corporation, will replace two others at the department. One of the trucks is not currently in service. The other, the number 4 engine, is currently on the front line, but the truck has required extensive repairs over the years. Department of Public Works Supervisor Carl Ivarson said the truck has required $48,000 in repairs since 2003. “This year we’ve already put over $6,000 into it,” Ivarson said.
When the new truck is purchased, the number four engine will take the place of two other vehicles in the second line. The decreased usage, should minimize the repair costs.
The council voted unanimously in favor of accepting the bid for $314,749 from Sutphen. Jeffrey was not present at Tuesday’s meeting. The city has received a low interest loan for $225,000. The other $90,000 will come out of capital reserves.
The city also authorized the purchase of a new vehicle for the Code Enforcement Office on Tuesday night. Code Enforcement Officer Jason Lawrence said the codes vehicle has been out of service and cannot be repaired. The city accepted a bid of $18,000 from Christman Motors for a 2008 used cargo van.
Committee members spoke at length about the fire truck purchase during their Dec. 2 meeting, which concluded with the committee moving the possible purchase to the full council without making a recommendation. Sixth Ward Alderman Robert Jeffrey had said during the committee meeting that he wasn’t against getting the truck, but was leery about spending during uncertain economic times. “I’m not against getting the truck, I’m just wondering can we afford it? Is there anything we can do to get the cost down, because it’s a back breaker during these times,” Jeffrey had said at the Finance Committee meeting.
Tuesday night, the Common Council decided to move forward with the purchase. “It’s not that the council wants to spend the money, but we don’t have much choice at this point,” said First Ward Alderman Robert Carey. If the city does not purchase a truck before the end of the year, new regulations will be in place that could raise the cost by as much as $3,000.
“We can’t ignore this. We can’t talk about public safety and then turn our backs on this,” said Fourth Ward Alderman Walter Schermerhorn.
According to Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo, the new truck, manufactured by the Sutphen Corporation, will replace two others at the department. One of the trucks is not currently in service. The other, the number 4 engine, is currently on the front line, but the truck has required extensive repairs over the years. Department of Public Works Supervisor Carl Ivarson said the truck has required $48,000 in repairs since 2003. “This year we’ve already put over $6,000 into it,” Ivarson said.
When the new truck is purchased, the number four engine will take the place of two other vehicles in the second line. The decreased usage, should minimize the repair costs.
The council voted unanimously in favor of accepting the bid for $314,749 from Sutphen. Jeffrey was not present at Tuesday’s meeting. The city has received a low interest loan for $225,000. The other $90,000 will come out of capital reserves.
The city also authorized the purchase of a new vehicle for the Code Enforcement Office on Tuesday night. Code Enforcement Officer Jason Lawrence said the codes vehicle has been out of service and cannot be repaired. The city accepted a bid of $18,000 from Christman Motors for a 2008 used cargo van.
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