Village Receives Federal Grants for Fire Truck Purchase

The will be receiving over $300,000 in federal funding to use toward the purchase of a new vehicle, though it's not the vehicle one might assume.

According to Ridgewood Fire Chief Jim Van Goor, in spring of 2011 the fire department put out federal grant requests toward purchasing a new engine truck. Those grants came through Wednesday, totalling $315,000, according to a joint statement released by Sen. Frank Lautenberg and Sen. Robert Menendez.

But wait, wasn't the fire department trying to get , you say?

"We put that grant request thinking we'd already have the ladder truck by now," Van Goor remarked Thursday at the .

Things appear to be moving on that front, however. On Friday, bid specs for the ladder truck go out and within a year, there's likely to be a new vehicle in Fire Headquarters on East Glen Avenue.

Although Village Manager Gabbert did not specify for the ladder truck purchase (citing that doing so could undermine the village's negotiations), there's enough cash on hand, he claims.

"We believe we have funded the amount needed," Gabbert said. "The ladder truck is fully funded via prior year capital ordinances."

According to Van Goor, a new fire engine typically runs about $375,000. With $315,000 allocated, the village cost may be around $50,000.

The department already plans on selling off a pumper truck when/if a new ladder truck arrivesr, there remains a chance the village sells off another engine.