WEST WINDSOR: Council puts off truck purchase

By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
   WEST WINDSOR — The Township Council decided to postpone the purchase of a $56,000 2012 Ford F550 truck for the Public Works Department at its Feb. 13 meeting.
   Councilman Bryan Maher asked council members to delay the purchase for two weeks to get an inventory of the department’s current fleet of trucks. He thought an inventory along with an explanation from Public Works Director Alex Drummond would be helpful in making a more-educated decision.
   ”It’s not too much to wait two weeks,” he added. “Let’s get a little more information and be more diligent to the taxpayers.”
   The vehicle is a new mason dump truck that would be used to plow snow and haul the township’s chipper to use for brush removal.
   Business administrator Robert Hary said the F550 would be replacing a 1999 dump truck in need of a new motor, transmission and suspension.
   Mr. Hary estimated that the parts alone needed to fix the old truck would run up to almost $8,000 — not including labor. Although money for a new truck was affirmed in 2009, the township has put off the purchase until now.
   ”We waited as long as we could,” said Mr. Hary. “But there comes a point when you need to cut losses on an old vehicle and move on to a new one.”
   Upon the purchase, the truck would be delivered in four to five months. The new truck will have a 550 cubic inch engine, making it heavier and stronger than the old truck’s 350 cubic inch engine. Mr. Hary said the reason for the pricier upgrade was because smaller trucks have a more difficult time plowing snow. It puts a bigger burden the transmissions, which causes rapid wear and tear.
   Mr. Maher was concerned that this particular upgrade might be too steep.
   ”I don’t know a lot about large trucks but it seems like a 550 and a 350 is a bit of an excessive purchase,” he said. “We could have saved $15,000 by going with the 350 — both hold a nine foot plow.”
   Taxpayers voiced their concerns that their money was not being spent properly and the council was cutting spending in the wrong areas.
   Resident Kim White mentioned the firing of Bettina Roed, the township’s former animal control officer, when West Windsor began contracting with East Windsor for animal control services last year.
   Last year Plainsboro Township opted out of the shared services agreement for animal control. Facing a loss of revenue, the need to purchase a new animal control van and the inability to find another partner, the town agreed to save money by eliminating the position and hiring East Windsor.
   ”Our animal control officer was let go last year in part to the fact that the township needed to buy a new animal control van. The township has purchased several new vehicles for the fire department and public works — how can the council justify buying a new vehicle for $65,000?” asked Ms. White.
   Resident Debbie Hepler was concerned with additional costs of the three new Public Works employees and the new playground.
   ”Why aren’t we looking at these areas if we are going to cut money? Animal control officer — that’s nothing,” said Ms. Hepler. “Something fishy is going on.”
   Mr. Maher acknowledged the concerns and agreed there is room for improvement.
   ”I do hear you in bills and claims — in general there is a good bit of waste. I don’t think department heads are scrutinizing expenses as thoroughly as they could” said Mr. Maher. “I would call on the department heads to thoroughly scrutinize expenses before they reach the council.”