Kaitlyn Kanzler, Special Writer
CRANBURY — The Township Committee unanimously approved a bond ordinance for the Police Department to purchase two marked Chevy Tahoe SUVs and one unmarked Chevy Tahoe SUV at its meeting Monday.
The total cost of the trucks is $111,400; $105,830 of it is covered by bonds and notes. The down payment of $5,570 is available through the capital improvement fund.
According to Denise Marabello, township administrator, statutory law requires 5 percent of the total cost come from the township’s capital improvement fund. The purchase of the vehicles is considered to be general improvement, which is included in the town’s annual budget.
Several of the older police vehicles that are being replaced will be available on an online auction, including a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria and a 2006 Dodge Charger.
The fire company’s old water tanker cab, which still works, also will be auctioned and is expected to sell for $5,000 to 6,000.
”For the first time, we will be using an online auction site to go ahead and auction off ‘dead’ vehicles, which only serve the purpose of being parts,” said Committeeman James Taylor.
According to Mr. Taylor, several towns use online auctions to sell old vehicles.
”Hopefully, the online auction will work,” Mr. Taylor said.
According to Ricky Varga, chief of police, the Police Department has not purchased vehicles since 2010.
”We’re down on marked and unmarked vehicles, and this is a way to fill the gap,” Chief Varga said. “We had four SUVs prior to this.”
Committeewoman Susan Goetz inquired about the use of the unmarked vehicle, and Chief Varga told her it would not be a chase vehicle, but would be equipped with all necessary lights and used in storms and floods.
”We looked at gas mileage, too, because we know that it’s a big concern of how much fuel an SUV eats up over a regular patrol vehicle,” Chief Varga said. “But they’re almost identical in fuel consumption.”
According to Ms. Marabello, the current interest rate of bonds is 2 percent and was a factor when looking into the vehicle purchase.
The bond ordinance was introduced at the Feb. 27 meeting.

