Town Moves to Fund New Fire Trucks, Road Improvements in 2013

Ramsey’s town council is considering a $2.5M bond ordinance that would allow the borough to pay for some items officials say it needs, namely two pumper fire trucks that have been on the road for over 25 years.

According to council members, several short-term bonds would be used to finance three major projects this year – buying the new trucks, fixing road issues at East and West Oak Streets and South Central Avenue, and the 2013 road resurfacing program at various roads throughout the borough.

According to a fire department presentation to the council last year, the outdated fire trucks have become a hazard to the members of the borough’s volunteer fire department.

According to firefighters, Ramsey’s Engine 432 is 25 years old, has answered over 11,000 calls, and is rusting through. It was manufactured by Mack Trucks, which no longer makes fire trucks. So, replacement parts are not available.

Engine 434 is 28 years old, has answered over 10,000 calls, and has an open cab, meaning firefighters riding in the truck are exposed to the elements. Open cabs were disallowed from New Jersey fire trucks in 1991, though firefighters said there are many still in use throughout the state.

The FD said both trucks are requiring more maintenance as they get older.

The roadwork at East and West Oak and South Central, which includes roadway resurfacing, drainage, and curb and sidewalk improvements, would be mostly refunded by grants and money from the county, borough administrator Bruce Vozeh said. Though it needs to pay for the project up front, Ramsey is expecting to be reimbursed for about 80% of the costs associated with the upgrades, officials said.

Finally, the bond would help pay for general road improvements throughout Ramsey. Though the specific roads it would repave have not yet been determined, officials said the borough enters into a regional development each year that helps resurface roads at a reduced cost.

The council is expected to consider the bond ordinance further at its meeting Wednesday night.

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