Long Beach OKs contract for new fire hydrants

Long Beach will replace some of its aging fire hydrants.

The City Council Tuesday approved a contract to buy fire hydrants “on an as-needed basis” from Sigelock Spartan, an East Rockaway firm. The firm will charge $2,762 to $2,822 per hydrant, according to documents filed at City Hall.

The city has identified about 60 of its roughly 600 fire hydrants that could possibly fail because of age and corrosion, said public works Commissioner Jim LaCarrubba. The city will likely replace about 20 hydrants during its current replacement program, he said.

LaCarrubba said some residents’ fears that the program would replace every city fire hydrant and become cost-prohibitive were unwarranted.

“This is not to replace every fire hydrant in Long Beach,” LaCarrubba said.

The City Council approved the hydrant contract by a 4-0 vote. Councilman Michael Fagen abstained.