Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson (left) discusses acquiring a new ladder truck for the town’s fire department with the Selectboard and Town Administrator. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
SOUTHWICK – At Tuesday night’s meeting, the Select Board and Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson agreed to a contract for the purchase of a new ladder truck for the fire department.
The ladder truck was approved by the voting residents at the annual town meeting in May at a cost of $902,796. Since then, Anderson has been researching designs and manufacturers that would fit the needs of the department.
The current ladder truck is 30 years old and Chief Anderson felt the acquisition of a new piece of equipment was the best decision.
“Repairs have become costly,” said Anderson. “It’s at the end of its life.”
During the meeting, Anderson and the Select Board discussed the pre-payment options to purchase a ladder truck. Town of Southwick Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart recommended that the two parties select option two, which would have the town make a down payment of $451,398.
By selecting option two, the down payment of $451,398 would allow the fire department to save a little over $11,000 and the truck would cost $891,417.39 instead of $902,796.
However, as the town has decided to borrow the entire $891,417.39 over a 15-year note, the total cost to the town including interest, is currently estimated at $1,090,000. Stinehart added that the final amount will be known once the long-term borrowing is completed after the sale of the bonds.
The three members of the Select Board made a motion for option two and it was unanimously voted in favor.
According to Anderson, the $11,000 savings is expected to be used on buying cabinetry and brackets for equipment, and other minor items that can spike costs pretty quickly.
With the purchase official, Anderson informed the Select Board that it will take anywhere from 11 to 13 months for the ladder truck to arrive to the department. Sutpen based in Ohio is the manufacturer while the department will receive the truck from the company’s local dealership, Five Star Fire in Hartford, Conn.
In an effort to help offset the cost of purchasing the ladder truck, Anderson applied for two federal grants the past two years but came up unsuccessful with both attempts. The ladder truck will be appropriated through town money.
