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Selectmen waive bid for refurbishment of Bethany tanker truck 82
Summary
The Board of Selectmen unanimously waived competitive bidding and approved refurbishing tanker truck 82 using Northeastern Fire Associates (Cheshire) and a local mechanical shop, citing cost savings and vendor familiarity; the work is budgeted at $350,000 and could sideline the truck for up to 10 months.
The Bethany Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Aug. 5 to waive competitive bidding and award refurbishment work for Tanker 82 to Northeastern Fire Associates of Cheshire and a local mechanical vendor.
A fire-department representative described the plan to split the vehicle into two work streams: the rear body and fire apparatus (pump, tank, valves, lighting) to be serviced in Cheshire, and the chassis/frame and mechanical work handled locally. The presenter said refurbishing is a cost-saving alternative to buying new: “we're up to $350,000 that the town has approved, versus ... over 1,000,000 for a brand new truck,” and noted the tanker is 26 years old and has a leaking tank and a damaged frame rail.
Officials said parts and steel costs are volatile and that vendors requested timely approval to hold a slot in their production lines. The presenter estimated the truck could be out of service for about 10 months during the teardown and repairs and said the department prefers to complete work within the current fiscal year to avoid leasing a temporary replacement. The board read a letter into the record from Brent Ciccarelli of the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department outlining vendor history and the $350,000 budget.
Chair moved to waive the bid specifically for Northeastern Fire Associates Inc. to refurbish Tanker 82; the motion was seconded and the board approved it unanimously. The board also instructed staff to monitor schedule and cost changes and to keep the Selectmen apprised as work begins.
