FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — If you have ever wanted to own a used police car, now is your chance. In the age of mass computer technology, the township is going to post surplus property, including older patrol cars, for sale on the eBay online auction site.
Township Administrator Tom Antus said the move will save the municipality some money.
"In the past, we’ve held a regular auction (to sell surplus property), but you have to pay the auctioneer. The rates are generally 10 percent. On eBay, the estimated cost is $1,000 for three weeks."
The state Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services permits the sale of surplus property no longer needed for public use through an online auction service.
Antus said everyone involved with local government in the township tries to be technologically progressive.
"We will do it as long as it is more efficient. This is the first time. We’ll see how it works," the administrator said.
The surplus municipal property to be auctioned off consists of cars, computer equipment including monitors and printers, a few pieces of office equipment and field maintenance equipment.
The vehicles are mostly older police cars and some trucks, Antus said, adding that all of the writing on the cars and all of the police radio equipment will be removed before the winning bidder takes possession.
A list of the cars includes year, make, mileage and a limited description of the condition. For instance, the information states that a 1985 Dodge van has 102,943 miles and runs. A 1997 Ford Crown Victoria has 90,333 miles, runs, but has accident damage to its front end, and a 1996 Chevrolet Corsica has 101,307 miles, runs, but needs brakes.
The computer equipment includes many HP Vectra hard drives with from 16 MB of ram to 4.2 GBs, as well as a number of monitors in sizes from 14 inches to 17 inches and printers.
The office equipment includes a chair, file cabinets, typewriters, a Canon phone/fax machine, a calculator and two copiers.
As for field maintenance equipment, the list includes two ceramic firing stoves, one pot belly stove, two lawnmowers, one sandpro, one grass seeder, an electric range, two stainless steel tables and a shuffleboard table.
According to the resolution, people can pay with a credit card, cash, or by certified check made out to Freehold Township. There is no minimum bid on the equipment. There is a $500 minimum bid on the vehicles.
—Linda DeNicola