CARIBOU, Maine — City councilors recently accepted the purchase of a 2018 GMC 15-passenger Savana van for just over $32,000.
Caribou Parks and Recreation Superintendent Gary Marquis said the bids for the van went out to two local car dealers: Griffeth Ford Lincoln and Gagnon’s Auto Sales. He added that the recreation commission recommended buying the GMC van from Gagnon’s Auto, as its bid of $32,186.80 was slightly lower than Griffeth Ford’s bid of $32,300.
Marquis said on Nov. 29 that the department’s old van is about 17 years old and, due to some issues with the frame, will no longer pass inspection.
“Typically when we get a van, we hold onto it for about 15 years,” he said.
Funding for the vehicle came from the city’s 2017 Recreation Van Reserve Account and from the Caribou Rotary Club, which donated $8,000 toward the purchase.
Councilors had no questions or comments for Marquis, and quickly moved to accept the purchase of the vehicle during their Nov. 13 meeting.
According to Marquis, the new van will be delivered in January 2018.
