WEST PARIS – At a special meeting Thursday, selectmen unanimously approved the purchase of a firetruck for $214,043, as recommended by fire Chief Norman St. Pierre.

Final approval depends on receipt of an acceptable contract from Southern Fire Apparatus of Jasper, Ga.

Detailing specifications of the unit, St. Pierre told selectmen it will be on a Freightliner chassis and include a 2,000-gallon tank, with both intake and outflow capability and a pump capable of filling from three sides. It also has an automatic transmission, automatic door locks, and headset plugs for the pump operator allowing for clear communications.

“Right now when we go on a call we have only 1,500 gallons of water with engine five but that is not enough to sustain us until mutual aid arrives. By adding the new truck, which can be connected directly to engine five, we will have 3,500 gallons of water, which will keep us going while waiting for mutual aid from our neighbors. Along with our other trucks it will give us a nice fleet,” St. Pierre said.

He said it would be ready for service by late summer.

“The truck comes fully equipped so we don’t have to spend time getting it equipped to join the fleet,” he added.