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Oxford Township approves replacement DPW F‑350, appropriates $55,000 and authorizes purchase
Summary
Oxford Township adopted Ordinance 2025-16 to appropriate $55,000 from capital funds for a DPW F‑350 replacement and passed Resolution 2025-116 authorizing purchase of a 2025 Ford F‑350 from Ciocca Ford not to exceed $59,293.25; the vote was 2-0 with one member absent. Residents asked about taxes and local development.
Oxford Township’s Committee on Oct. 17 adopted an ordinance and a companion resolution to replace a Department of Public Works pickup, approving an appropriation of $55,000 and authorizing a purchase contract not to exceed $59,293.25.
Mayor Gerald Norton said the truck being replaced “is falling apart and has been for the last 30 years,” and told the meeting the vehicle recently broke down on Henderson Street and had to be towed because continued use would have “destroyed the engine.” Norton said temporary repairs have been made but that “it will never ever make it through this winter for a plow truck.”
The Committee adopted Ordinance No. 2025‑16, which appropriates $55,000 from the township’s Capital Improvement Fund for the purchase. The ordinance text allocates $27,500 from the Capital Improvement Fund, General Capital, and $27,500 from the Capital Improvement Fund, Sewer Utility Capital. Georgette Miller moved to approve the ordinance; Mayor Gerald Norton seconded. The motion carried on a 2‑0 vote (Ayes: 2; Nays: 0; Abstain: 0; Absent: 1). Clerk Lee Geller later certified the ordinance.
Separately, the Committee passed Resolution 2025‑116 authorizing the purchasing agent to buy a 2025 Ford F‑350 4x4 (including a jersey box) from Ciocca Ford of Flemington under Morris County cooperative contract MMCPC Contract 15C #12. The resolution records that the chief financial officer certified availability of funds for a purchase not to exceed $59,293.25 and directs the qualified purchasing agent to issue the purchase order to the vendor.
The ordinance and the resolution together authorize the appropriation and the vendor purchase; the documents record different dollar figures (a $55,000 appropriation and a purchase authorization not to exceed $59,293.25). The ordinance specifies the appropriation sources; the resolution states the certified contract amount. The committee did not record additional budget adjustments during the meeting.
In public comment, resident Peggy Hissim asked why the township was buying a new DPW truck and later raised a question about townhomes on Pequest Fields. Mayor Norton responded to the truck question by attributing the need to decades of deferred maintenance and said the township has dedicated funds for the purchase. Norton also addressed a social‑media comment that the purchase would raise taxes, noting the township has dedicated funds in its budget for this purpose.
The committee listed no other new or old business and adjourned at 4:12 p.m. Clerk Lee Geller certified the meeting record.
