COLTS NECK — For the second time in about a month, the Township Committee has rejected a bid that would have guaranteed that snowplows clear municipal streets in the event of a winter storm.
The governing body denied the bid at its Oct. 30 meeting due to what were described as the excessive costs outlined in the proposal. Only one snowplow vendor submitted an offer to provide the services, Township Administrator Robert Bowden said.
In September, the committee members turned down another pricey deal. Only one company submitted a bid at that time as well.
“After this rejection, state law does allow the administration to negotiate with any other private snowplow vendors,” Bowden said.
Bowden said he is hopeful that discussions with a vendor will soon pay off for the township.
“I am negotiating now with a snowplow operator who is extremely credible and I expect to give a recommendation as to the award of bid at the next meeting,” he said.
Colts Neck is coming off a contract for snow removal services that has served the municipality for two years, Bowden has said.
Township officials have said it is often difficult for municipalities to secure such contracts at beneficial rates because the state pays handsomely for snow removal services.
“There is a lot more money in doing the [Garden State] Parkway and state highways,” Bowden has said.