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Community Corner

Fire Department Makes Plea for New Truck

Officials are examining the best way to fund an expensive, but needed new engine.

The weakened economy may be stagnant, but fire officials are asking the town to move quickly and finance a new fire engine.

Fire Chief Harold Clark stated his case for a $555,000 new engine before the town council on Monday,saying it's necessary to replace a truck that's been basically grounded and used for parts.

Replacing the truck was part of the chief's capital improvement plan, which called for a replacement three years ago. Clark said delaying the purchase would place a huge financial burden on future taxpayers, since new trucks and parts must be continually replaced.

"If we don't replace it soon we're going to be where we were in (1998) when we had to replace three engines at one time," Clark said."Since I presented my plan three years ago, it hasn't been funded. I understand things slip through the cracks, but none of the pumpers we are driving meet the standards of the National Fire Protection Association."

"If you have a good service or maintenance program you can push those years a little further, and we've been doing that over the last few years," he said.

Fire Lt. James Paul explained how important the engine is within fire and rescue functions, and assured the council his committee has been researching the best and highest quality of replacement for engine 11, which would be retired.

"This apparatus goes to all types of emergencies, to any type of fire suppression function, (hazardous material) situations, motor vehicle crashes - it's a busy, busy piece," Paul said. "We want a custom built apparatus that is heavy duty because it needs to be, for the amount of runs we go to."

Council members including John Barry questioned the timing of the request as well as details like the mileage of the engine, which is at 44,000. Clark explained that the truck did not perform as well as expected, which is why the department plans to purchase a better, custom-built truck from one of the top-performing manufacturers.

Clark said he should have been more proactive about letting the council know about the department's needs, but he assumed his capital improvement plan would be upheld within each budget process.

"I appreciate what the fire department does, and the good job that you do, but it seems like there's something wrong with the industry, something's wrong with the process when you have to replace these things after 44,000 miles," Barry said. "I don't know what the industry averages are, but I don't always buy into these association's recommendations because sometimes they're connected to the industry itself, in this case the fire department."

Town Council Edward Pocock said he believes the chief's request is to be taken seriously, and recommended the request be forwarded to the Board of Finance.

In other notes...

The Council also voted Monday 7-2 along party lines to approve the the modified purchase, sale and lease agreement for the North Center School property to house town and school administrative offices.The $7.2 plan will sell the building for $1, and allow the town to lease the renovated building in 8 - 12 years.

Democrats John Barry and Anthony D'Angelo were opposed to the plan, as well as the procedure, which did include the involvement of the Board of Finance in an official capacity.

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"This is a multimillion dollar, convolluted project, and we don't send this to the finance board - I'm wondering for it's a violation of the town charter," D'Angelo said.

"These inflation numbers are total estimates, and no one knows what the interest rates are going to be in nine years," Barry said. "I don't like how this went down and I'm not sure if this went to referendum, if the people of Southington would say this was the best option."

Pocock pointed out that finance board members were on the advisory committee for the project and the board had also reviewed the lease agreement.

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