South Amboy Council president thanks firefighters
SOUTH AMBOY – The Fire Department could not have been thanked enough for the work that they’ve done in the City, and Council President Mickey Gross was one of their biggest cheerleaders.
Gross was one of many speakers who said how sorely the new fire truck was needed. He told Fire Chief Mike Geraltowswki who was sitting in the front row in the Council Chambers, “I will thank the Fire Department anytime a member comes to a meeting.”
Mayor Fred Henry said, “Myself and the B.A. (Camille Tooker) met with the Fire Department. The Fire Department did a lot of research into helping us getting a new truck for them. It came down to a safety issue. This is the same whether it be the Fire, Police or EMT’s. We will continue to have meetings with the Fire Department.”
Fire Chief Mike Geraltowswki was ecstatic because they were getting a brand new 2015 fire truck. “Originally we were going after a 2013 truck, but we were too late and that truck was bought by another town and the dealer offered a 2015 truck in its place for the same price. The price of truck which was $820,000 would not include the equipment that had to be installed. The old truck that this new truck will be replacing has been out of commission since September 2014. The life expectancy of the new truck will be 30 years.”
In his closing remarks, Geraltowswki thanked B.A. Camille Tooker, Mayor Fred Henry and the Council past and present for their support.
During the Meeting, it was noted that the recent fires that occurred in C-Town, South Amboy and the Circle Motel highlighted the urgency of getting a new truck.
Mayor Fred Henry noted that this one truck will actually do the job of two trucks.
After the meeting Geraltowswki said, “Sean O’Connor, who is a Fireman on the Fire & Safety Team was instrumental in helping to obtain this new truck.”
They hope to have the truck for available for the Memorial Day Parade. If all works out, the Christening of the truck is scheduled for July.