Cornwall rejects firetruck proposal

CORNWALL — After receiving only one bid back for a custom-designed firetruck, the Board of Selectman have opted to go back to square one.

The proposal from Alexis Fire Equipment Company in Illinois came in about $120,000 over budget and included potential surcharges.

Several other manufacturers responded to the bid request stating they were unable to meet the specifications set forth by the truck committee.

“It’s disappointing but I think we’re sort of in a situation that we don’t have much choice at this point,” said First Selectman Gordon Ridgway at a meeting of the BOS June 2. “It’s back to the fire department at this point to try to wrestle with their priorities.”

“I think we should put this back out to bid after revising the spec. Alexis tends to be one of the most expensive vendors in this arena,” said Selectman Rocco Botto, adding that the surcharges would likely put the cost even higher over budget.

Ridgway reported there is about $640,000 in the town truck fund. It is the hope of BOS that a revised spec list will bring in more qualified bidders.