Selectmen approve purchase of Engine 1

On Monday, July 28 the Board of Selectmen accepted the Truck Committee's recommendation and voted to award the contract for the purchase of a new Engine 1 to Greenwood Emergency Vehicles of Attleboro, MA. Greenwood will supply a 2009 E-One Typhoon rescue pumper, similar in features to our current Engine 3. The new pumper will be slightly larger and feature foam capability for flammable liquid fires.

The final cost to Rowley's taxpayers will be approximately $427,000, which includes the purchase of some loose equipment to fully outfit the new engine. (The voters authorized an expenditure of up to $440,000.)

Delivery is expected in approximately 9 months.

Bid Opening

Bids were opened for Engine 1 this morning.

Base prices:
Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, representing E-One, for a Typhoon custom pumper - $398,854
Ferrara Fire Apparatus, for an Igniter custom pumper - $409,667

Both bids included additional individual line-item prices for optional equipment. The Truck Committee chose to specify in this method to make sure the proposals would fit within the budgeted amount.

The Truck Committee is currently reviewing the proposals for compliance to the specification and for total cost including options. The committee will send a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen, who hope to award the contract at Monday's meeting.

Stay tuned.

Anticipation. . .

Bid opening for Engine 1 is scheduled for 11:00 AM this Tuesday. We know that bid packages were taken out by E-One, Ferrara, Seagrave, HME, and KME.

We'll see what happens.

Firemen's Memorial Sunday

On June 8, 2008 the RFD held its annual Memorial Sunday. Services focus around the Volunteer Firemen's Memorial, and the Honor Roll of deceased members is read. The morning is punctuated by the sounding of Chief's Call on the 'fire whistle' in their honor. It's a moving moment.


The service is led by Chaplain Hagopian, and this year he explained the significance of the Maltese Cross.