Orion Township trustees picked three bidders on Dec. 15 for township vehicles, but will consider a policy for maintaining future vehicles after a resident complained of the condition of the ones up for sale.
The board awarded bids for a 1989 Chevrolet van, in the amount of $555; a 1995 Chevrolet Lumina, in the amount of $701; and a 1995 GMC pickup truck, in the amount of $4,211.
Prior to the awarding of the bids, a resident presented the board with pictures of the vehicles he took after he considered bidding on them. He said he decided not to after seeing trash sitting in the back of one of the vehicles, and some dents and other problems.
“Is there any process, or who is responsible, for inspecting the vehicles?” asked trustee Michael Gingell. “I wouldn’t buy them either, if they are filled with junk.”
Building and grounds director Reenae Tulip said “ultimately” it would be her responsibility, but that she never thought to look for trash in the vehicles.
“It did sit out there for a whole year (before going up for bid),” she said.
Trustee Will Wilsher said it was “appalling” to see the condition of the vehicle.
“Maybe we need some kind of policy,” he added. “We need to do something about that, we could have gotten some more money for these.”
“When people drive these things with the (township) logos on them, they represent all of us,” treasurer James Marleau said
Trustee Richard Tomczak recommended having a policy formulated regarding the maintenance of township vehicles while employees are driving them, and also before they go out for bid to the public. The rest of the board agreed.
“I do believe there should be a policy in effect…but I do believe the department heads should be responsible for how those vehicles are maintained and used,” Tulip said.
Trustees will review a possible policy regarding township vehicles at a future board meeting.