Oswego Council OKs Ambulance Purchase

by Steve Yablonski | July 14, 2014 9:53 pm

OSWEGO, NY – A new ambulance will roll into the Oswego Fire Department next month.

At Monday night’s Common Council meeting, by a 5-1-1 vote, councilors approved the bid submitted by North Eastern Rescue Vehicles for a new ambulance.

Councilor Shawn Walker cast the lone vote and Councilor Mike Todd was excused.

The bid $83,998 was for a 2013 Wheeled Coach Sprinter Ambulance. The Sprinter model is a slight step down from what the department has used historically.

The city chamberlain was also authorized to advance funds for the purchase while securing lease purchasing financing.

Councilor Fran Enwright cited the fire department for “its great service” during the recent storm.

In regard to the new ambulance, he said he believes in maintaining the department’s level of service. This is just another step along the way in the department’s restructuring to ensure it is able to operate safely and efficiently, he added.

The city has been restructuring the fire department for a year now, and he has yet to see any results in black and white, Councilor Walker noted.

“I’d like to see that,” he said, adding that in the meantime, he wouldn’t support the ambulance purchase.

“We’re still going to have the rental for now. But, hopefully, by the middle of August we’ll have the new ambulance,” Fire Chief Jeff McCrobie said following the meeting. “We’ll start tomorrow making plans for the transition.”

Plans for emergency services coverage for next week’s Harborfest celebration are already in place, the chief added.

“I’ve had discussions with them as late as today about Harborfest. Things are in order, ready to go,” he said.

Also, the council unanimously approved closing Sheldon Beach (north end of Sixth Avenue) during Harborfest.

It will be closed 7 a.m. July 24 through July 28 at 7 a.m. On July 26 at 7 p.m., the police department will allow access to the area only for viewing of the fireworks and will close it at the conclusion of the fireworks until the following Monday morning.

Among Other Action:

The council approved use of public space for:

• Marcia Alvarado, owner of property located at 52 E. Sixth St., in order to install a two-car parking area

• Placement of advertising signs for St. Stephen’s Church festival to be held on August 10

• Kim Kelley of Oswego County Breastfeeding Coalition for The Big Latch On event in Franklin Square Park on August 2.

• Allison Borasky to use Breitbeck Park on August 16 for use during her wedding reception at the pavilion. She also requested a variance of the noise ordinance for the DJ from 2 until 7 p.m.

• Use of the Crisafulli Rink by Squared Circle Wrestling for a Pro Wrestling event to be held on August 8

The council accepted the donation of two park benches to be placed in Breitbeck Park:

• In memory of Shirley Winterhalt

• In memory of Sam Amedio Jr.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/oswego/oswego-council-oks-ambulance-purchase/

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