BY ANN GENADER
WEST MILFORD ‑‑ Winter is on its way and the township is getting ready to deal with what the cold season brings, including a flurry of plowing bills.
This week officials were hoping that snow plowing contractors would come in with new, lower bids.
The town is also buying a truck with brine equipment to help it combat icy and snowy roads.
The township last month rejected seven bids for snow plowing services for being too costly. It ten re-advertised for new bids to be received on Friday, Oct. 6. Any new official action will be reported in The West Milford Messenger when it happens.
Meanwhile, the use of brine to de-ice some roads is slated to continue. The council has moved ahead to buy one pre-owned 2005 International truck 4300 with brine equipment. The purchase is being made from Winter Services in Ringwood, for $69,000.
Both Public Works Director Ed Steines and his supervising mechanic recommended the purchase after a thorough analysis of the truck’s condition. Each year the township uses about 60 trucks and heavy snow removal equipment from private businesses to supplement its own fleet. The private contractors are called in as needed, depending on severity of storms. The owners are people who offer the public private landscaping, construction/paving services in other seasons.
This year the contractors who were hired last year again submitted bids – but just three were approved. Hourly wage demands came in at about $110. Four of the business people who were rejected were charging $135 hourly pay, an increase of about $25 over last year. Two others asked for about $120, increases of approximately $11 hourly. Another who had 14 trucks available would charge $116 per hour.
One of the reasons for raising prices given by some of the contractors was that new insurance requirements added to their operating costs. One said he now needs to take out an additional $5,300 insurance coverage to plow because added dangers cited – such as slip and fall.