The program could be too costly because it could require the town may have to replace a number of vehicles.
SOUTHWICK – Town officials are weighing the benefits of participating in the state green communities grant program against the cost associated with replacing town vehicles with more fuel efficient ones.
In a presentation to selectmen last week, the ad hoc Green Energy Committee reported that one of the required criteria for participation in the program includes the purchase of fuel efficient vehicles for municipal use.
“The purpose behind this criterion is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by municipal vehicles, which has a positive impact on the environment and saves the municipality money,” stated one of the guidelines for compliance by the state Department of Energy Resources.
As it stands now, Ford Crown Victorias used as cruisers by the police department are passed down to the pool of vehicles available for official town use once they are taken out of service. To replace these vehicles, said Board of Selectmen Chairman Arthur G. Pinell, would be costly and possibly outweigh the benefits of being eligible for state grant funds.
“I’m not sure if we should spend the time pursuing the rest of the program if we can’t use retired police cruisers for Town Hall,” he said. “The environmental benefits are noteworthy and worthwhile, but we have to look at the financial component. That’s the sticking point,” he said.
Fellow Selectman David A. St. Pierre agreed, saying, “Financially, it doesn’t make sense to go out and purchase fuel efficient vehicles. We usually hold on to (the retired police cruisers) for lots of years, and they don’t get high mileage use.”
Under the program, emergency vehicles over 8,500 pounds such as fire engines, ambulances and some public works trucks are exempt from the fuel efficiency requirement. Also exempt are police cruisers used by police.
“However, municipalities must commit to purchasing fuel efficient cruisers, passenger vans and cargo vans when they become commercially available,” the guidelines state. “Police and fire department administrative vehicles must meet fuel efficient requirements.”
Police Chief Mark J. Krynicki said 2011 is the last model year for Crown Victorias and will be replaced as needed by the more fuel efficient Ford Taurus, the car he now uses as an administrative vehicle, after 2012.
Green Energy Committee member Marcus Phelps said the town may be able to use $130,000 in program grant funds for the purchase of more environmentally-friendly and fuel efficient vehicles, an option that would be acceptable to officials.
“It makes sense if we can use the grant money to replace vehicles,” said St. Pierre.