SOUTHWICK – Prifti Motors ended its long-time contract as a tow operator with the Southwick Police Department this week.
Select Board Chairman Joseph Deedy announced this week that Prifti Motors owner Donald Prifti sent a letter indicating it would no longer offer its services.
“Prifti will no longer be doing police towing for the town,” Deedy said.
Prifti said this week that he did not wish to elaborate, but did say his family has done towing for Southwick Police for 70 years.
“It just wasn’t profitable any longer,” said Prifti.
Prifti Motors still provides towing for other towns and offers private towing with its fleet of 20 trucks.
The announcement came several months after the Board added Southwick Collision as a second police tow operator. Police Chief David Ricardi supported the second tow company as a backup.
During a discussion before the Board approved the addition, Prifti spoke against the request from Southwick Collision.
Prift said he always answers the calls and he has a back up system in place.
“I have a back up system with a fleet of 20 trucks that can be here within 20 minutes,” Prifti said. “Your idea of a back up system holds no water in my eyes . . . and I’ve never refused a call.”
Selectmen Chairman Joseph Deedy said he was previously the third tow company in the rotation and there is no need for three companies, and there may not even be enough work for two.
