Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • June 22, 2011 Franklin Lakes Council awards contract for purchase of ambulance by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Council has awarded a $155,871 contract to New Jersey Emergency Vehicles, the sales and service division of PL Custom Body and Equipment Co, Inc. in Manasquan, for the purchase of a new 2011 Ford/PL Custom Medallion Series Type III ambulance. The base bid by MJEV was $171,371, but the borough received $15,500 for the trade-in of a 2001 ambulance with 32,000 miles on it. Delivery of the new ambulance will be made within approximately 100 days from the execution of the contract. MJEV was the only bidder. Borough Administrator Gregory Hart said that, in 2005, the last time the borough went out to bid for an ambulance rig, there was also just one bid. That bid was for a net cost of $144,447, which was based on similar specifications. In May, the council tabled the award of this contract in order to provide time for the ambulance corps professionals to verify the validity of the bid. Hart advised that he and Ambulance Corps Captain Michael Petrino have reviewed the bid and determined that the bid meets the specifications. Petrino pointed out in a memo to Hart that the service and warranty requirements in the specifications were specific because the corps keeps its ambulance rigs for nine years, while many other towns keep ambulances for five years. The borough’s ambulance corps required electrical and ambulance body construction that would hold up for the longer period of time. In a memo to the council, Hart explained that the ambulance corps’ specifications were extensive and specific and were based on the corps’ needs with a longer warranty and body specifications that were important because of unfavorable maintenance experiences in the past. He also compared the cost that several other towns incurred in recent purchases of ambulance rigs and found them to be comparable. According to MJEV, the PL Custom Body and Equipment Company is a Ford Approved Qualified Vehicle Modifier Builder and chassis re-mounter. The bidder’s information explains that the Ford QVM program involves a rigorous inspection implemented by Ford Motor Company to ensure adherence to manufacturing practices, as specified in Ford’s Body Builders Manual. Not all manufacturers are QVM approved. That information also indicates that MJEV can provide full in-house service on all makes and models, with ASE, EVT, and Ford certified technicians. The company is also a Ford Authorized Warranty Service Center and receives daily updates through Ford’s Online Automotive Information System. State-of-the-art diagnostics are performed using Ford’s Worldwide Diagnostic System and Integrated Diagnostic System with Fordstar updates and the New Generation Star tester. The company has been in the business of ambulance manufacturing and service since 1946, and has been serving the emergency response industry in New Jersey for over 60 years. Center provides activities for all ages Parks and Recreation Director John Ciurciu works with local students. As part of Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona’s wellness campaign, the Franklin Lakes Recreation Center is promoting community activities that focus on health, fitness, and well-being for people of all ages, including the Memorial Day Parade Critter Walk, the Youth Biathlon, and senior fitness classes. Recently, Parks and Recreation Director John Ciurciu visited with students at the Franklin Avenue Middle School and the High Mountain Road School to promote fitness and physical education as part of the mayor’s initiative. Ciurciu introduced the children at both schools to aspects of profes- sional sports conditioning, sportsmanship, and team building through games and exercises. “Many kids today in Franklin Lakes are involved in organized sports activities. However, to bring fun, interactive activities that engage the less athletic child is a really important component of the mayor’s campaign,” Ciurciu said. “The recreation department’s goal is to offer something for everybody, not just for those who are already physically active, but for those who may need some motivation and extra support.” For details, contact John Ciurciu at (201) 847-8200.