WOODSTOCK — The Board of Selectmen voted 2-1 Tuesday evening to purchase a $217,000 pump truck, pending approval at a special town meeting.

The 350-horsepower Freightliner would be built by Midwest Fire Co. in Luverne, Minn., and have a lifetime warranty on the body and tank, and a 10-year warranty on the paint.

Town Manager Vern Maxfield said the warrant for the special town meeting, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, would include a recommendation of a six-year lease option.

“Basically, we would put $70,000 down on it, and take out a $150,000 lease for the rest of it,” Maxfield said.

The Fire Department’s Engine 1 pump truck was recently taken out of service because it needs $46,000 worth of repairs.

“The entire water system, including the tank, is corroded and pitted …” Maxfield said.

The Board of Selectmen tasked fire Chief Kyle Hopps with finding information and numbers on purchase costs and lease options for a truck that meets the town’s needs.

Hopps said he found a website for Midwest Fire Co.

“I filled out the truck specs online and submitted it that night,” he said. “I’ve been working with them ever since to get some numbers together for you guys.”

He lauded the Pennsylvania company Four Guys Fire Trucks for the service it has provided in the past, but said the numbers it provided for a new truck “weren’t working for me this time around.”

Hopps said the Freightliner would have a PolyBilt body, rather than a stainless steel one.

Selectman Stephen Bies asked Hopps if that meant it was better than a stainless steel truck.

“Yes,” Hopps said.

Maxfield said the truck would have a lifetime warranty on the body and tank, and a 10-year warranty on the paint.

“After looking at the quote they gave me, a six-year lease looked like the best offer, in terms of year to year,” Hopps said. “I could easily make the deposit out of the reserve account. At the next town meeting, there would be a separate line item in the warrant for us to make a payment each year. If, for whatever reason, people don’t pass it, I would still be able to pay for it out of reserves, as long as the lease payment was under $30,000 a year.”

Chairman Ron Deegan said he is confident residents would be on board with the purchase.

“It’s not like we’re voting for an ATV or a motorcycle here,” Deegan said. “We’re voting for a pump truck, something that could save someone’s house or property.”

Selectman Mike Nadeau agreed.

“I would be upset if my house was burning, and the pump truck we have right now was just sitting on the side of the road, not being used,” he said.

“I’m much more impressed with the numbers I’m seeing than I expected to be,” Selectman Stephen Bies said, “but I’m still not ready to take the leap. I’m going to say no to this, but it’s not because I don’t like it. I’m just not quite ready to leap yet.”

The board voted 2-1 to approve the purchase, pending the outcome of a special town meeting. 

mdaigle@sunmediagroup.net