LAKEWOOD – The village of Lakewood approved the purchase of a Custom 1500 Class A Pumper from Spartan ERV at a recent board meeting.

The Lakewood Fire Department truck committee investigated the purchase of a Custom 1500 Class A Rescue Pumper for two years, and rigorously pursued it for the last six months. The pumper is designed to replace the department’s oldest pumper, a 1993 Sutphen, and to support the Lakewood Fire Department’s limited manpower. The pumper would not only be used to provide fire suppression, but would also provide equipment for responding to auto accidents, cold water rescue and EMS support.

The committee suggested purchasing the Class A pumper from Spartan ERV for $648,902. While Spartan was not the lowest bidder, the two lower bids did not meet bid specifications. The law requires the lowest responsible bidder be granted the contract, but if the lowest bidder does not submit a bid which complies with the bid specifications or if there is a reasonably based determination that the lowest bidder is not “responsible,” that bidder need not be awarded the contract.

“I find it troubling that (the lowest bidder) did not submit a complete bid application, and that you had to ask for additional information,” said David DiSalvo, Lakewood trustee, regarding the reason the village decided to go with Spartan ERV instead. “That may be an indication of what we can expect in the future. That would leave a bad taste in my mouth.”