When sending out a 1953 firetruck for repair, the volunteer fire department, did not follow proper procedure when it exceeded the bid threshold, according to Councilwoman Kathy Kinsella. The firetruck required custom work due to its advanced age, Moonachie Fire Chief Justin Derevynaik said.He said the classic fire truck is the only one operating in the country, It is used as backup and displayed at town events as a part of the town's history.

"We did not have an original estimate but we didn't think it was going to be as expensive as it was," Derevynaik said. Repairs included rebuilt brake components and repairs to the transmission and rear differential. "A majority of the bill was labor."

Kinsella would not give the amount of the the original bill, but did say that fire officials were able to get the bill adjusted to below the bid threshold to $17,490. Derevyniak said he was not the one to speak to the mechanic and he did not know how the bill was adjusted to fall under the bid threshold.

The mechanic working on the truck was communicating with one of the assistant fire chiefs, and originally repair costs were was under the bid threshold, according to Derevyniak.

Borough administrator Tony Ciannamea did not return an email regarding the cost of the original bill by press time.

Fire department officials said the department would pay for part of the bill and asked if the borough would pay the remainder. Derevynaik did not specify how much of the bill the fire department offered to pay.

Borough attorney Frank Migliorino advised the council they should not pay the bill, stating that attempting to "circumvent the law" and adjusting it to fall under the bid threshold was wrong.

The fire department's operating budget is a line item in the municipal budget and is used to cover equipment repairs, equipment purchases, clothing allowances and LOSAP, which is a pension-like program. The fire department submits purchase orders tthrough the borough.