By Katherine Massopust

PERTH AMBOY – At the Special City Council Meeting held on 12/30/13 the bids for City Contracts were discussed.

Richard Freedman owner of Raritan Valley Truck Sales from South Brunswick expressed his displeasure with the criteria for bids for purchase of sanitation trucks. “For the items you are talking about, we can meet all specifications but two. We don’t have a low cab – they are not available. We have a steel cab and anti-lock brakes on our trucks. We did not bid because the bidding is set up so only one company can bid. The town (Perth Amboy) is paying extra for each truck (in my estimation $20,000 for each truck).”

Councilman Bill Petrick asked, “The cab is not a low entry cab?”

Freedman answered, “It is 36” to 40” above ground. You have to climb into the cab.”

Petrick also asked, “Your trucks are steel?”

Freedman answered, “Most cabs are steel. Steel is stronger. If it’s damaged, it’s easier to repair. In many states weight is important (referring to weight restrictions on trucks). In New Jersey, weight is not as important as it is in western states.

“Other towns have opportunities to save more money by having more open specifications (on bids),” Freedman continued.

Business Administrator Greg Fehrenbach stated, “I received a letter from City Dept. Heads Frank Dann (from Public Works) and Gary Muska (Purchasing) and they found the bids to be satisfactory. We want one type of body. Other than Woodbridge, we have one vehicle. We need uniformity. This way drivers need to know exactly how to drive and maintain the vehicles. If you would prefer to hear from Mr. Dann and Mr. Muska now, it will be six months when we are getting the vehicles. A low cab allows the driver to exit the vehicle and retrieve the can.”

Councilwoman Lisa Nanton asked, “Are the models (of the winning bidder, Hunter Jersey Peterbilt) the same?”

Fehrenbach answered, “They are similar to what we have.”

Councilman Bill Petrick commented, “In the future we should make the bids less stringent.”

The Council agreed to table this issue for 2 weeks until the January 6, 2014 Caucus Meeting.

The Council also voted to accept bids for liability insurance and City Marina Reconstruction. The Council voted to reject the bids for “Road Rehabilitation and Improvements – Various Streets” (R- 590) authorizing rebidding.

For the Perth Amboy Free Public Library, the Council voted for a contract for Ca- tel Inc. to provide temporary heating units for the winter months. B.A. Greg Fehrenbach stated that the reason that this is needed is because the boiler broke down last April in the library. Originally it was believed the boiler could be repaired and piping could be hung from the boiler room. This could not be done.

Councilman Fernando Irizarry asked, “Why didn’t they see they needed this before?” Fehrenbach explained, “The mechanical contractors were under the belief that we were dealing with reinforced concrete, but we found out we were dealing with terracotta. We can’t hang pipes on terracotta. We found out we were better off replacing the boiler (rather than repairing it). The plan was completely redesigned by mechanical engineers.” A steel structure will be built to hang piping and equipment in the boiler room. The contract with Performance Mechanical was approved to replace the boiler in the Perth Amboy Public Library.

An underground storage tank located under the front sidewalk of the library needs to be removed. The Council voted to award a contract to Excel Environmental Resources, Inc. to provide analysis and removal of the tank. B.A. Greg Fehrenbach noted that the final work that has to take place is in check with the E.P.A.

No one spoke in the public portion. Some comments were made by Councilman Bill Petrick. “The boat basin was not dredged. Sewaren Creek was dredged. It is still up that end of the river. We need approval of our Freeholders and State Senators and Assemblymen and Congressman Pallone. There’s no reason they can’t come here and do that here, too. There’s no need for us to be the stepchild of Middlesex County.”

B.A. Greg Fehrenbach stated, “This had nothing to do with Sandy. It was pre-existing, therefore we could not justify FEMA funding.”

Petrick commented, “They dredged seven feet (in Sewaren).”

When asked how they could tell, Fehrenbach answered, “Mike George (advisor to Marina Utility) provided photos to them, but they rejected our appeals.”

Councilman Bill Petrick stated, “We need to lean on them.” Councilwoman Lisa Nanton agreed.