Andover approves fuel saving device for police vehicles

Andover — Andover is proceeding with a resolution to purchase fuel-saving devices for use on township vehicles. In February the township entered into an agreement with Extreme Energy Solutions of Ogdensburg to test the InterCharger/SMART Emissions Reducer with a no cost 60-day trial program. The trial commenced in March, with devices retrofitted on two police cars, two light diesel DPW trucks, one heavy duty DPW diesel dump truck, and a township heavy duty diesel street sweeper. From March through July, the devices saved Andover $1,200 in fuel costs and 286 gallons of gasoline. “I was trying to find a flaw somewhere,” said Deputy Mayor Michael Lensak, who helped coordinate the trials as a liaison between DPW Supervisor Darren Dickinson and Samuel Burlum, President/CEO of Extreme Energy Solutions. Lensak noted an increase in fuel efficiency as the police vehicles rose from 10 miles per gallon to 15 and 16 miles per gallon. “Year-to-date, we have already saved over 286 gallons of gas,” Lensak said. “The gas is not being used, and it’s 286 gallons less of emissions.” “We’re pleasing and appeasing the tax side of it, it’s a win-win,” said Lensak. Some of the test results for the diesel vehicle were inconclusive, and Extreme Energy Solutions agreed to extend the trial for the township for additional tests. The one time cost per unit is $329 for gasoline vehicles, $599 for light diesel, and $899 for a heavy duty diesel. Each unit is backed by a three year warranty and an anticipated life of seven years. The devices may be transferred to other vehicles. “There were no adverse effects to the vehicles, there was decreased gas consumption, and increased mileage, which is a good thing,” said Police Chief Gil Taglialatela. “We’re in favor of it.” Taglialatela said there was one minor issue with one of the police vehicles during the testing period with acceleration, but it was not linked to the InterCharger. “I’m not endorsing this gentleman or his product,” Taglialatela continued. “My guys are not bashful, if there were complaints, we would hear it from them.” Although Lensak said the mileage on the diesel vehicles was “not rocking my world,” he was pleased with the lower emissions. “The DPW sweeper and truck has less emissions than a brand new Prius coming off of the showroom floor,” Burlum remarked. Burlum said the DPW staff reported they were “glad not having to work around dirty emissions.” Cindy Randazzo, from the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Office of Local Government Assistance, also sat in the audience, and Mayor Phil Boyce asked her opinion on the InterCharger. “Although we’re not endorsing any particular entity, it sounds like [Burlum] has some pretty good stuff to offer,” Randazzo said. Randazzo said municipalities must participate in a diesel retrofit program called Stop The Soot by September, to help lower emissions. The state will reimburse municipalities the cost of the retrofit after they have paid for it. In other business David Kolstad has joined the Environmental Commission for a term through December 31, 2011. Taglialatela said a recent bomb threat at the Econo Lodge led to the arrest of a Neo Nazi advocate, also in possession of child pornography. The township scored a 94 percent on their 2011 Best Practices Worksheet, designed to examine their internal operations. The township has received 14 recent complaints and 5 compliments about Blue Diamond, their waste and recycling pickup carrier. The township’s first Green Team Meeting through Sustainable New Jersey will take place at the Hillside House at 7 p.m. on August 11. Local boy scout troops have volunteered to help build bat houses to increase the dwindling bat population in the township. The state will be bringing in seedlings of plants to help attract the bats. The township’s charity softball tournament roster is complete. The tournament will take place on Saturday, September 10.