RUMFORD — Selectmen are expected to approve a joint purchase agreement for a 2008 ladder firetruck with Mexico at their meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in Rumford Falls Auditorium.
Selectmen from both towns met April 12 in Mexico and agreed to share the cost of a ladder truck. Neither town has a reliable one, which prompted the joint meeting.
Residents in both towns previously authorized Rumford and Mexico selectmen to enter into the contract. For many years, both towns have had a mutual-aid agreement for fire protection services.
The agreement will allow both towns to share the cost of the firetruck, to plan for future replacement by budgeting within a capital fund in each town, and to share the maintenance for the truck used in both towns.
Additionally, by purchasing a ladder/pumper truck, Rumford won’t have to replace a pumper truck in the near future. That will enable Rumford to reduce the amount of equipment it owns.
According to the contract, which is included in the selectmen’s packet for Thursday’s meeting, Rumford is contributing 80 percent of the costs in payment or trade-in, while Mexico does the same at 20 percent.
Rumford will retain ownership of the ladder truck, which will be housed at the Rumford Central Station and respond to incidents in either town, as deemed necessary by the fire chiefs and consistent with existing operating guidelines and mutual-aid agreements.
Rumford will also be responsible for regular upkeep and maintenance, insurance and required certification and operation of the firetruck.
Also in the board’s packet is an apparatus purchase contract with Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus Inc. of Union Grove, Ala., for a 2008 Pierce Aerial for $498,800.
Trade-ins are a 1990 E-One Aerial for $20,000 and a 1995 pumper-tanker for $40,000.
Among the other agenda items to discuss are approvals sought for a special town meeting to refinance the general obligation bond, an amendment to the General Assistance Ordinance, and to schedule a goals-setting workshop.
Permission is also being sought by group Envision! Rumford to use two loaded sand trucks as anchors for a zip line at the Fourth of July celebration.
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