Marshfield Alderman Pass on Local Bid for New Fire Engine
Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 -- 8:00 AM
(WDLB) -Marshfield aldermen are passing on a bid from a local firm, and instead buying a new fire engine from an Appleton firm.With two members absent, the Marshfield Common Council voted eight-to-nothing last night in favor of a bid from Pierce Manufacturing for the new engine, which will replace an engine that's been in service for over 30 years, and is long past its prime. Theresa Backaus of Stainless-and-Repair in Marshfield spoke on behalf of her husband Derek, who said through a prepared written statement that their bid is 76-thousand dollars lower than the Pierce bid, and the Council should "buy local" in this instance, especially since Pierce also wrote the specifications used for the bidding process. Marshfield Fire Chief Scott Owen told the Council that Stainless wasn't offering what his department wanted.
Owen also said not one firefighter dislikes the Pierce unit. Lance Christopher--President of Firefighters Union Local 1021--asked the Council members to trust what the firefighters tell them they want. Chief Owen said a four-person committee worked in-house to review the specifications wanted for the new fire engine, and came up with a recommendation for the city's Police-and-Fire Commission to consider. Commission President Mike Meyers said he and other members were very confident in the job the committee did.
Owen said the new fire engine will replace one which is nearly 34 years old, and probably should have been replaced a decade or so ago. Aldermen Rebecca Spiros and Peter Hendler were absent for last night's vote.
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