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West Chester Township approves $1.2 million in public-safety equipment and vehicle purchases
Summary
Trustees approved multiple requisitions including $514,850 for 10 new cardiac monitors, $121,440 for turnout gear, and $324,828 for six police vehicles, and authorized related equipment outfitting and smaller repairs.
West Chester Township trustees on Feb. 11 approved a package of public-safety equipment purchases that the township says are needed to replace aging medical equipment, update safety gear and maintain emergency response capability.
The board voted to approve requisitions totaling more than $1.1 million, including a $514,850 purchase from Stryker Sales LLC for 10 LP 35 cardiac monitors with trade‑in credits, $121,440 for 30 sets of turnout gear from Municipal Equipment Services Inc., $324,828 to purchase six police Chevrolet Tahoes from McCluskey Chevrolet and $180,468.97 to outfit those six vehicles via Tri State Public Safety. Trustees also approved a $13,900 replacement plow for a 2005 salt truck and $9,210 to repair a damaged overhead garage door at the Safety Services Center.
Chief Prince told trustees the town’s current cardiac monitors were purchased in 2014 and are near the end of their serviceable life; replacement parts are difficult to obtain for the older Lifepak 15 units. He said the new monitors have enhanced ECG monitoring, data transmission and updated algorithms. With trade‑in values on the current monitors, the fire department negotiated what it reported as a lower price; the up‑front cost without trade‑ins was estimated as high as $670,000 earlier in the planning process.
The turnout‑gear purchase, covered by CIP 1695, is tied to a collective‑bargaining requirement that members have two sets of gear to reduce carcinogen exposure. The police vehicle purchases are cataloged under CIP 1650; Burks told the board the replacements respond to high mileage and maintenance cost.
Trustees discussed lifespan and serviceability for monitors, trade‑in savings, and whether hospitals or grants could offset costs; Burks said no grants were available and hospitals do not pay the cost. For the broken plow, Burks said mechanics determined the unit was beyond repair and parts were salvaged for reuse and the remainder declared surplus.
Votes at a glance: The board voted to approve requisitions 7 through 13 (Microsoft enterprise agreement renewal and the safety/public‑works items listed above) by roll call; all voting trustees voted yes on that motion.
