Township to buy new 75-foot ladder truck

HARDYSTON-At a workshop meeting last Tuesday, Fire Chief Bill Hickerson presented the council with a completed proposal for a new 75-foot ladder-tower truck. The fire department has been studying the truck purchase for close to a year, and has honed their proposal repeatedly. A committee of line officers came up with the specifications, Hickerson noted. A down payment of $35,000 will be required in order for the township to buy the ladder truck, which will be paid for through a bond. This year's fire department budget includes the $35,000 allocated for the d own payment. Township Manager Marianne Smith said she thought it would be wise to include the new ambulance in the bond ordinance. The budget also includes funds for a down payment of $7,000 towards the ambulance purchase. "We will need to create an ordinance for a bond, and it would be wise to combine the truck purchase with the new ambulance purchase," Smith said. "As soon as we get the bid, we can introduce the bond ordinance, and leave a spot open to plug in the numbers. We must adopt the bond ordinance before we can award bill." Hickerson told the council that with 37 active firefighters, the department has enough manpower to staff the new vehicle. The number of fire alarms in Hardyston has grown by about 2 percent over the past year, and with the expansion of Crystal Springs and Ridgefield Commons, as well as other areas, the truck will be invaluable. As aside, Hickerson mentioned that the volunteer firefighters donate about 366 hours to the fire department each year. "We need the tall ladder to reach certain second-storey windows and roofs of some of the newer houses," Hickerson explained. "We asked the truck committee to compare the 75-foot ladder truck with the 100-foot ladder truck. We wanted a truck small enough to get into the lake communities, and the 75-footer is more versatile, and can easily enter the lake communities in winter if there's a chimney fire. Sussex and Vernon each have 100-foot ladder trucks, if one is needed." Hickerson described the truck as being versatile, because not only can it serve as a ladder truck, but with 2,000-gallon water tank capacity it also is small enough to serve as a pump truck. To ensure the township gets the best truck for the lowest cost, the bid language includes two sets of specifications, plan a for a truck with an aluminum ladder and plan b for a truck with a steel ladder. "We wanted to make sure the township receives multiple bids," Hickerson noted. "We also wrote the specifications in a way that allows us to reject either bid. Both ladders are good, and we'll go for the best price." "We've separated the equipment list from the truck in order to get a better price. When equipment is purchased along with the truck, the truck manufacturer marks it up." There is one problem the new truck could pose, Hickerson explained. Getting the through the fire station door would be a tight squeeze. "Before we bring the big engine to company 1, a volunteer will donate modifications to building by installing a higher door. The building won't require any structural changes." In other fire department news, Joseph Ionta told the council that plans for the October 1 parade are leaping along. Ionta is compiling a list of county and state dignitaries who'll be invited. Deputy Mayor Leslie Hamilton says she wants to ride in the fire truck on parade day. Hickerson promised her she could. Township to buy new 75-foot ladder truck Township to buy new 75-foot ladder truck By Rosa Kasper HARDYSTON n At a workshop meeting last Tuesday, Fire Chief Bill Hickerson presented the council with a completed proposal for a new 75-foot ladder-tower truck. The fire department has been studying the truck purchase for close to a year, and has honed their proposal repeatedly. A committee of line officers came up with the specifications, Hickerson noted. A down payment of $35,000 will be required in order for the township to buy the ladder truck, which will be paid for through a bond. This year's fire department budget includes the $35,000 allocated for the d own payment. Township Manager Marianne Smith said she thought it would be wise to include the new ambulance in the bond ordinance. The budget also includes funds for a down payment of $7,000 towards the ambulance purchase. "We will need to create an ordinance for a bond, and it would be wise to combine the truck purchase with the new ambulance purchase," Smith said. "As soon as we get the bid, we can introduce the bond ordinance, and leave a spot open to plug in the numbers. We must adopt the bond ordinance before we can award bill." Hickerson told the council that with 37 active firefighters, the department has enough manpower to staff the new vehicle. The number of fire alarms in Hardyston has grown by about 2 percent over the past year, and with the expansion of Crystal Springs and Ridgefield Commons, as well as other areas, the truck will be invaluable. As aside, Hickerson mentioned that the volunteer firefighters donate about 366 hours to the fire department each year. "We need the tall ladder to reach certain second-storey windows and roofs of some of the newer houses," Hickerson explained. "We asked the truck committee to compare the 75-foot ladder truck with the 100-foot ladder truck. We wanted a truck small enough to get into the lake communities, and the 75-footer is more versatile, and can easily enter the lake communities in winter if there's a chimney fire. Sussex and Vernon each have 100-foot ladder trucks, if one is needed." Hickerson described the truck as being versatile, because not only can it serve as a ladder truck, but with 2,000-gallon water tank capacity it also is small enough to serve as a pump truck. To ensure the township gets the best truck for the lowest cost, the bid language includes two sets of specifications, plan a for a truck with an aluminum ladder and plan b for a truck with a steel ladder. "We wanted to make sure the township receives multiple bids," Hickerson noted. "We also wrote the specifications in a way that allows us to reject either bid. Both ladders are good, and we'll go for the best price." "We've separated the equipment list from the truck in order to get a better price. When equipment is purchased along with the truck, the truck manufacturer marks it up." There is one problem the new truck could pose, Hickerson explained. Getting the through the fire station door would be a tight squeeze. "Before we bring the big engine to company 1, a volunteer will donate modifications to building by installing a higher door. The building won't require any structural changes." In other fire department news, Joseph Ionta told the council that plans for the October 1 parade are leaping along. Ionta is compiling a list of county and state dignitaries who'll be invited. Deputy Mayor Leslie Hamilton says she wants to ride in the fire truck on parade day. Hickerson promised her she could.