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Date: 1/11/2019
CHICOPEE – The city will be saving about $30,000 on a new ambulance through an expenditure approved by the City Council on Jan. 3.
Councilors unanimously approved spending $195,000 from the Stabilization Fund for Capitol Budgeting.
The city took advantage of an unusual situation: a never-used 2015 ambulance that was for sale by the vendor used by the city.
In a letter to Mayor Richard Kos, Fire Chief Dean Demarais said the Fire Department has a policy to replace an ambulance after the vehicle had reached the 80,000 miles mark.
“Although neither first line ambulance is at 80,000 yet, mileage adds up quickly as these vehicles operate 24/7 and with that reliability drops off considerably and creates potential risk to our patients. We have reached a critical point as our current fleet of ambulances is comprised of a 2016 with 41,248 miles; a 2016 with 59,904 miles; a 2009 with 179,701 miles and another 2009 with 189,847 miles. We find that we have no choice to remove the 2009 with the highest mileage from our fleet as it is not even reliable as a back-up ambulance due to its condition.
Demarais said the 2015 model has only 45 miles and is available for immediate purchase. The savings would be $30,000.
“We would be able to acquire a new ambulance to enhance our fleet and increase reliability without having to wait several months for delivery,” Demarais wrote.
City Councilor James Tillotson told his colleagues that he had spoken to Demarais and was assured the ambulance would have the latest technology.
“It’s a good deal for both … a win for the seller and a win for the buyer,” Tillotson added.
The council also approved an allocation of $60,000 for a new compressor and filling station for the Scuba gear it and the Police Department use. The current system is 25 years old and requires replacement.
The council accepted the final $15,000 contribution installment from the Polish National Credit Union to the Chicopee Public Library to help pay fro the bookmobile. The credit union fulfilled its promise to donate $75,000 toward the bookmobile.
Mayor Richard Kos asked the council to schedule a special meeting for Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m. to address nine items on that agenda.