Vote OKs fire truck purchase

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - Township residents voted yesterday to approve $525,000 for a new fire truck and related equipment.

In a referendum called by the local fire district, residents voted 55-1 to approve the new engine.

"Obviously, we're extremely happy with the outcome," township Fire Chief Kevin Brink said last night. "The public came out and supported us in our effort to obtain approval to buy a new fire truck." The township board of fire commissioners voted May 11 to hold the referendum to pay for an engine that would comply with National Fire Protection Association standards. For example, firefighters riding in the rear of the current primary fire truck are exposed to the weather, contrary to NFPA standards.

The new truck will allow more equipment to be carried to aid with extricating trapped people from wrecked vehicles as well as equipment to remove hazardous materials. It will carry less water than the current primary truck, although there is less need to carry water because most residents live in areas with fire hydrants.

The financing of the new truck must be reviewed by the state Local Finance Board. Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman Robert Hutchinson estimated that a lease-purchase agreement would cost $65,000 to $80,000 annually over 10 years, depending on the size of the down payment.

Referendum is set on new fire truck

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - Township voters will be able to choose next Wednesday whether to acquire a new fire truck for the local fire district.

The township board of fire commissioners voted May 11 to hold a referendum to pay $525,000 for a new engine and related equipment, board Chairman Robert Hutchinson said yesterday.

The vote will be from 4 to 8 p.m. at the fire station, 1149 Route 130.

The amount included in the referendum would pay for an engine that would comply with National Fire Protection Association standards, Hutchinson said.

"We're basically replacing a 1986 engine, which is not complying to the current NFPA standards," he said, noting that firefighters riding in the rear are exposed to the weather.

The new truck would allow more equipment to be carried to aid with extracting people from vehicles that have crashed as well as equipment to be used to remove hazardous materials.

The new engine also would carry less water than the current primary truck. Hutchinson said that as a higher percentage of township residents live in areas with fire hydrants, there is less need to carry water in the truck.

The financing of the new truck must be reviewed by the state Local Finance Board, Hutchinson said. He estimated that a lease-purchase agreement would cost $65,000 to $80,000 annually over 10 years, depending on the size of the down payment.