HARRISON — Last week selectmen gave Town Manager George “Bud”  Finch and Fire Chief Dana Laplante the green light to replace the fire truck that slid down an icy road and rolled over recently, according to Finch.

At their Thursday, Jan. 28 meeting, Harrison Selectmen unanimously agreed to allow Finch and Laplante to spend up to the amount of the insurance check plus a $100 donation from James Lifter to replace the 2000 Freightliner, according to the draft meeting minutes. In an email, Finch noted this will eliminate “any impact on the budget or taxes.”

On Jan. 17, driver Mo Kautz responded to a carbon monoxide detector alarm on Harrison Heights Road, a private road off Route 117. The road was not sanded and the truck slid down the steep hill and as Kautz made the turn at the bottom of the hill, the truck’s wheels caught the shoulder and flipped over in the woods. This totaled the vehicle’s front chassis. Kautz received only scratches and was treated at the scene.

“We are very thankful the driver is OK and knowing he handled the vehicle the best he could under the conditions,” Finch wrote in an email. “Fortunately the market for 2000 to 2005 used fire apparatus is good with equipment in the $150,000 plus or minus range. This makes it possible for us to obtain an affordable upgraded used pumper to replace the damaged 2000.”

Engine 4 was the first in the line to respond to fire-related calls. The second vehicle in  the fleet, a 1993, is being used as the main fire truck while another is found. Finch previously said the 1993 needs to be replaced in the semi-near future. While the accident was unfortunate, Finch sees a silver lining in purchasing a replacement fire engine.

“The replacement vehicle, while not eliminating the need for the new front line pumper that will go to the town meeting in June, could push out the date for the replacement of the used truck by 10 to 15 years, thus providing long-term savings to the town,” he wrote. “Rural communities such as Harrison are fortunate right now the market for high-quality and affordable used fire apparatus is available.”

The goal is to formalize the sale and delivery of the replacement engine within the next two weeks as Finch, Laplante and other fire personnel have been reviewing options, Finch said.

In other safety news, Finch announced last week the new Cumberland County Sheriff’s deputy who is assigned to Harrison.

“Sherry MacVane has come on board and has already made her presence known on a number of streets where speeding has been an issue,” Finch said in his manager’s report. “So let’s welcome Sherry on board and obey the speed limit so your … introduction to her isn’t a speeding ticket.”

Selectmen also directed Town Clerk Melissa St. John to place referendum questions regarding the updated the dog ordinance and safe zone for parks ordinance on the June 7 ballot, according to the draft meeting minutes.

Finch reminded residents of the town’s roadside mailbox guidelines policy and noted the town’s plow drivers have been instructed to avoid striking mailboxes with the wing of the truck.

“Please remember, state law provides that any installations within the town’s right-of-way including mailboxes, shrubbery, fences and other property enhancements are placed there at the owner’s risk,” Finch wrote in his manager’s report. “Municipalities are not responsible for any damages caused during snow removal process operations. In most cases, mailboxes are damaged by the weight of the snow.”

To see the entire policy, visit www.harrisonmaine.org, click on policies and ordinances and select roadside mailboxes guideline.

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