To buy or not to buy?
That wasn’t really the question’but then again, it was’as Springfield Township officials recently decided to obtain bids for the possible replacement of aging municipal vehicles.
During the township board’s January meeting, Supervisor Mike Trout suggested soliciting bids for several new vehicles, saying he’d like to consider a purchase if numbers came in low enough.
After a lengthy discussion, the board voted 6-1 in favor of accepting bids for two full-size, half-ton pickup trucks.
Although the fire department plans to purchase a new command vehicle, Trout and other township officials have repeatedly voiced concerns about the safety of a 20-year-old pickup used by the Parks and Recreation Department.
‘We might be able to get a pretty good price right now by asking local dealers to look at their existing inventory,? Trout said. ‘It obligates us in no way to buy vehicles; it’s a bid only. And in some small way, I thought we could help out the community; we have five car dealerships in (Springfield Township) and if this is a way we can help support them in this tough time, maybe we should do that.?
Trout said it was not his intention to impose the purchase of a vehicle on any department unable to afford the cost, but suggested allocating funds from elsewhere.
‘There may have to be provisions made, but there’s money in the budget,? he said. ‘Last year we had the same amount in our contingency fund, and we didn’t spend any of it.?
But Treasurer Jamie Dubre said the decision to leave last year’s contingency fund in the bank was ‘kudos to the board.?
Dubre and other members agreed the purchase of a new command vehicle for the fire department was in order’a new pickup was budgeted into the fire fund’but some questioned the value in going out for bid on a new parks vehicle.
‘If the park commission wants to go for a pickup truck and pay for it I don’t have a problem,? said Dubre. ‘They decide how to utilize the funds allocated by the board at budget time. But (the parks department) isn’t able to pay for a vehicle; they don’t have money for that, and I’m concerned with the general fund absorbing all these costs.?
Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Tucker confirmed Dubre’s statement, as the board was already aware, and said even if the department could fit a new vehicle into its budget, a pickup would not be the priority.
‘We do have an old truck,? she said. ‘But our initial problem is transporting staff from place to place. If we replace (the old truck) with a two-seat vehicle, we’re right where we were. A four-seat vehicle, that’d be great. If we had to prioritize, a Gator would be first.?
However, Tucker said, the department has already cut a number of seasonal positions due to the economic climate, and transportation of staff may soon be inconsequential.
‘It’s not that we wouldn’t want to replace the truck,? she said, noting the department spends about $3,300 per year for maintenance of two pickups and two tractors. ‘We all recognize there are problems with it, but we have to make choices and the choice right now is keep the staff we have and continue to function at a moderate rate.?
Others were supportive of obtaining bids.
‘That blue truck isn’t safe and at minimum needs a new box,? said Trustee Denny Vallad. ‘The (parks department) has indicated their desire for a Gator, as opposed to a truck, for some time, but I am concerned about the safety of that blue truck.?
Trustee Roger Lamont agreed, noting the township’s current 10-year life expectancy for vehicles may be too long.
‘We’ve been putting money into repairs, perhaps it would be prudent to at least get prices,? he said. ‘We have township employees driving unsafe vehicles.?
But Park Commissioner Jean Vallad said the truck was road safe and had been regularly maintained over the years.
The commission, she explained, was in the process of obtaining a safety certification from a local mechanic.
‘When we look at the big picture and the capital outlay, the purchase of a truck is not something we’re even considering at this time,? she said.
The township will receive sealed bids for 2008-2009 model vehicles at the supervisor’s office until 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 2. Documents can be obtained from the office of the Charter Township of Springfield, 12000 Davisburg Road, Davisburg, during regular business hours; or downloaded at www.springfield-twp.us. Call 248-846-6500 for more information.