By Kristyne E. Demske
C & G Staff Writer

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A month after announcing a new towing company would be hired in the township for the first time in more than 50 years, the Board of Trustees has backed off that decision, now saying that company doesn’t meet the township’s requirements.

“In response to that bid, the board selected Utica Van Dyke (Service) as the provider. Yesterday, our attorney informed us that Utica Van Dyke towing does not meet our request (and has) only a 25-ton capability instead of the 30-ton capability specified,” Supervisor Richard Stathakis announced at the board’s Oct. 6 meeting.

He said all of the towing companies who submitted bids were invited before the bid process began to suggest changes to the township’s requirements, something many other companies did. But now, he said, it was too late for more changes.

“Since Utica Van Dyke does not meet the (request for proposal) specifications, as agreed upon … I recommend that Utica Van Dyke be disqualified,” he added.

A motion was made by Trustee Paula Filar and supported by Trustee Lisa Manzella to disqualify the company from the towing contract, thereby rendering the contract drawn up by the township and the company useless.

The motion passed unanimously.

The board interviewed Utica Van Dyke Service along with Nightingale Standard Service — which has been the township’s towing provider for 51 years — and five other firms in September: Quick Assist Towing of Shelby Township, Luca’s Towing of Shelby Township, Joe Ballor Towing of New Haven and Romeo, Ruehle’s Towing of Mount Clemens and Coleman’s Towing & Recovery of Troy.

Township officials said they wanted to go with Utica Van Dyke Service because it had issued a 15-minute guarantee and had a new lot in the township, among other qualities.

But failing to meet the weight specifications laid out by the township and waiting until the last minute to inform the township of that fact soured officials on changing the RFP for the company.

Stathakis said Township Attorney Rob Huth, in drawing up the contract with the company, “went out and he wanted to see how closely the plan was compared to the (specifications). The (specifications) didn’t quite meet the plan.”

“We’re kind of late in the game right now and if anyone wants to make a change, it wouldn’t be fair to the other six towers,” Stathakis said.

Utica Van Dyke owner Dino Juncevic said he was very disappointed in the board’s decision.

“Many companies came in and said they wanted them to lower their standards,” he said of the bid process. “You really can’t tell the difference between a 25-ton and 30-ton (capability).”

He said he’s been helping the township out for the last four years towing heavy vehicles, including fire trucks.

“We were just discussing the contract and (Huth) asked about the big truck and I told him … it was never an issue before and shouldn’t be an issue now,” Juncevic said.

Huth said the board had many options it could consider now to find a new towing contract but recommended members not take any further action at that night’s meeting.

Stathakis said the status quo would remain — with Nightingale doing the township’s towing — while the board decided its next move.

“We will review this as a board. Things are just going to stay the way they are for now,” he said.

John Nightingale, owner of Nightingale Standard Service, said he knew all along that the other company couldn’t meet the township’s requirements. He just wished the matter had been investigated before it got to this point.

“If you’re going to award a contract, at least make sure they qualify,” he said, adding that he felt the Police Department should have had more input in the process, since officers are primarily the ones dealing with the township’s towing company.

“This process, it just wasn’t done right,” he said. But in disqualifying Utica Van Dyke Service, “I feel they did the right thing.”

You can reach Staff Writer Kristyne E. Demske at kdemske@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1041.