JACKSON — Agreeing that It’d save on rising prices, Jackson selectmen voted 3-0 final Tuesday to approve Hearth Chief Jay Henry’s request to order A mannequin new Class A pumper/fire engine now, although the board lacks the authority To actually buy the truck.
Henry informed selectmen Barbara Campbell (chair), John Allen and Frank DiFruscio That current chain delays and inflationary elements have made it prudent To behave.
By subsequent March, The worth of the truck might go up by as a lot as $56,000, Henry said, and so It Could be useful to metropolis coffers to pre-order onr.
The mannequin new truck would substitute the division’s 1989 Mack Class A tanker. That engine is Definitely one Of 4 Inside The hearth division’s fleet. The completely different three are a 1996 Mack pumper, a 2004 Mack Central States and a 2016 HMR Ahrens Fox STO. There is a 15-to-18-month lead time for supply.
“There are current chain factors, and prices are rising. Selectmen are On A daily basis Considering about saving money, and if we pre-order Barely Earlier than deliberate, We will Get monetary financial savings and get in line,” Henry informed the Photo voltaic after the meeting.
Based mostly on the selectmen, the voters have accredited allocating about $80,000 per yr over the previous a quantity of yrs So as to add to The hearth gear capital reserve fund. That account now stands at about $480,000.
“We’re fortunate to have That quantity in capital reserve,” said Campbell.
The acquisition or lease of the new truck will go to voters at metropolis meeting subsequent spring, however selectmen have the authority to pre-order one now, she said. And will voters choose To not fund The further capital reserve over The subsequent two yrs, there Can be an “out clause” Inside The vendor contract.
She informed the Photo voltaic she doesn’t know The exact truck Henry Desires to buy, however said he was Taking A look at two completely different distributors. The lease Can be by way of an entity that handles municipal gear contracts.
Henry said the worth Of 1 truck He is Taking A look at will enhance from $630,000 to $665,000 come Nov. 20.
Requested Regarding The measurement of the truck by DiFruscio, Henry said It Could be 4 ft too prolonged for The prevailing station however said the division might Escape the again wall To permit the greater gear To go well with.
Which will solely be tempoorary as A hearth Station Constructing Committee is lobbying for the metropolis To place up A mannequin new, greater station the place the 1947-constructed construction is now (see separate story).
Based mostly on Henry, Tuesday’s Okay from selectmen permits his committee to finalize specs from The corporations They’re researching. He said The numerous producers embrace E-ONE, HME Ahrens-Fox and Pierce Manufacturing.
“I’ve been Engaged on this new truck problem for 4 or 5 yrs,” said Henry after the meeting.
Managing Editor Margaret McKenzie contrihowevered to This textual content material.
