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Upper Milford supervisors approve Rosenbaum quote contingent on DCED grant and signed agreement
Summary
The board authorized the Citizen(s) Fire Company to enter into a Rosenbaum purchase agreement for a $1,394,911 fire truck using a $1.2 million DCED grant, contingent on the fire company's execution of an agreement with the township and solicitor review of ownership/sale provisions.
The Upper Milford Township Board of Supervisors on April 17 authorized the Citizen(s) Fire Company to enter into a purchase agreement with Rosenbaum for a quoted price of $1,394,911 to apply a $1.2 million DCED grant toward the acquisition, contingent on the fire company signing an agreement with the township and solicitor review of ownership language.
The vote followed a presentation by Chief Bawden of the Vera Cruz Fire Company describing the quote, which included an upgraded 360-degree camera and reflected price increases since January. Chief Bawden emphasized his commitment to emergency response, saying the work is ‘‘to help people’’ and that he will continue to respond to calls.
During public input, resident Phil Casey questioned whether the Turnpike Commission should provide its own emergency response rather than relying on volunteer companies and asked what the fire company earned from Turnpike responses. Chief Bawden said the company currently ‘‘earn[s] $225.00 per call on the Turnpike.’’ Resident Colt Hershinger said $225 is not sufficient for calls that exceed an hour and urged negotiating higher reimbursement from the Turnpike.
Supervisors discussed concerns raised by residents about ownership language in the proposed purchase agreement and the potential for escalation or layoff impacts cited by a resident referring to Mack layoffs. Solicitor Marc Fisher said he would investigate the agreement’s sale and ownership provisions before removing those protections from the draft and before the township signs any final document.
Supervisor John D. Zgura moved to authorize the Citizen(s) Fire Company to enter into the Rosenbaum agreement dated April 16, 2025, to permit use of the DCED grant funds; Supervisor Angela Ashbrook seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The board recorded the approval as contingent: Rosenbaum’s quote and the township’s use of the DCED funds are dependent on the Fire Company’s execution of the agreement and final solicitor review. No final sale or transfer of ownership was completed at the meeting; the solicitor’s review was explicitly requested as a next step.
