3/6/17 Caucus

PERTH AMBOY – A $43,497.54 bid for repairs to a 39 ft. Metalcraft Marine Firestorm Fireboat was scrutinized by the Council.

Fire Chief Abraham Pitre came forward to answer questions. He said, “There was a jumper accident and the money for this amount was allocated from the 2016 operating funds.”

Councilman Joel Pabon questioned, “Do other people use this boat?”

Chief Pitre explained, “This has to be a part of our cost. The minimum insurance costs $50,000. We have another boat that has a $1,000 deductible. The bow on this Firestorm Boat was damaged and there was minor damage elsewhere on the boat.”

Business Administrator Adam Cruz told the Council the reason for the cost (over $43,000) was because some parts of the Boat have to be disassembled to get to the damage.”

Chief Pitre said, “We have to fight fires and assist in rescues over an area from New York City to Sandy Hook.”

Councilman Fernando Gonzalez asked, “How many boats do we have? I believe that we have one fireboat and couple in the Police Department.”

Pitre answered, “Yes.”