From the moment last June when Glen Ridge threw open for bidding a new fire services contract to replace its expiring deal with Montclair, officials in Montclair openly expressed fear that Bloomfield would swoop in with a sweeter offer for Glen Ridge.

The result: Montclair put forth a bid that would have Glen Ridge pay less to receive fire services in the first two years of a new 10-year contract than it pays now. Two weeks ago, the Glen Ridge Council voted to approve the deal that will slash the $926,000 Glen Ridge pays this year to $850,000 in 2023.

As it turns out, Montclair’s fear was misplaced. Montclair’s offer, according to the Glen Ridge borough attorney, was the only one on the table. Montclair was competing against itself.

“Bloomfield did not make a bid,” the attorney, John Malyska, told Montclair Local.

It was unclear if Montclair officials knew the town was the sole bidder.