Donation helps town departments

MERRILLVILLE | The town's police and public works departments are increasing their vehicle fleets thanks to a donation from a local business.

Enbridge Inc., of Griffith, recently donated four vehicles to the town, Merrillville Police Chief Joseph Petruch said. The total value of the 2005 vehicles is about $65,000, Petruch said.

Three of the vehicles went to the Police Department, and the Public Works Department received a pickup truck.

Although the vehicles are used, Town Councilman Ron Widing said "they are in excellent shape."

Petruch said two sport utility vehicles received by his department are four-wheel drive, which will be helpful to officers when there is inclement weather.

Merrillville Public Works Director Bruce Spires said the pickup truck is needed because the department has few small trucks.

He said the department's small trucks are used by public works employees who don't have the commercial driver's license required to drive some of the department's larger trucks.