At their regular meeting on September 12, Coteau-du-Lac's elected officials awarded a contract to L'Arsenal Thibault et Associés for the purchase of a new ladder truck with basket. The expenditure approved by the elected officials exceeds $3 million. 

According to our information, this is the most expensive purchase of a fire truck in the history of Vaudreuil-Soulanges and the Suroît region. The total cost of the vehicle is $3,106,197.94, including taxes. 

A few months ago, the Town launched a call for tenders for this transaction. At the end of this stage, only one compliant bidder expressed an interest in the project. 

"The Council wishes to avail itself of article 173.3.3. in order to come to an agreement with the bidder to conclude the contract at a lower price than that proposed in the bid, without however changing the other obligations, since the proposed price shows a significant difference from that provided for in the estimate established by the Municipality", stated Jacques Legault, Director General of the City of Coteau-du-Lac, during this important item on the agenda. 

By taking advantage of this article of law, the City of Coteau-du-Lac was able to save $46,000 on the total bill. This will be paid via a borrowing by-law to be contracted with the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation (MAMH) du Québec. 

"The necessary sums will be appropriated from the Town's unallocated surplus upon receipt of the vehicle only if approval of the by-law has not been received from the MAMH," he also specified. 

District 6 Councillor Patrick Delforge called for a vote on this agenda item. All councillors voted in favour of the purchase. 

The Director of the Coteau-du-Lac/Les Coteaux Fire Department points out that the delivery deadline, which will be followed by the vehicle's commissioning, is currently three years. This means that the new ladder truck with basket may well be seen on the region's roads in 2026.