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Northvale council approves first reading of bond ordinance to replace DPW equipment, fire vehicle
Summary
At a special meeting, the Borough of Northvale introduced and advanced a bond ordinance to fund replacement of Department of Public Works equipment and a fire department vehicle; council set a second reading for March 12 and approved a separate resolution to pay bills.
The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Northvale introduced and approved a first reading of a bond ordinance to fund replacement of aging Department of Public Works equipment and to purchase a new vehicle for the Fire Department.
The ordinance, presented at a special meeting called to act quickly on several time-sensitive purchases, covers a backhoe, dump trucks, a salter/snowplow unit and a replacement vehicle for the fire chief. The council advanced the ordinance to a second reading scheduled for March 12.
Presiding official (meeting chair) said the borough has been spending increasing amounts on repairs for existing DPW vehicles and that several are in “very bad shape.” The official said the fire chief’s vehicle is about 10 years old and that repairs were accumulating. "Normally, this vehicle would be, like, $30,000 more than what it is," the presiding official said, describing a dealer offer the borough had the chance to secure.
Councilman Madison made the motion to introduce the ordinance; a second was recorded. On the roll call related to the ordinance, Councilman Vitallion, Councilman McPherson and Councilman McAllan were recorded as voting yes; the presiding official stated the item will return for a second reading on March 12.
Council members and staff also discussed possible trade-in or resale proceeds tied to the purchases. The presiding official said the dealership will provide $10,000 credit for the fire chief’s vehicle as part of that deal and estimated the borough could recover about $15,000–$20,000 from resale of an existing backhoe. The official said other surplus vehicles could be sold through the municipal auction site GovDeals.
Meeting remarks noted the borough’s current salter supplies were low and that some older equipment might be retained for limited tasks, such as moving salt, rather than being immediately retired.
No public comment was taken on the ordinance at the first reading.
The council closed the special meeting after completing the agenda.
