By Ann Bryant
The Sun Journal
DIXFIELD, Maine — Selectmen from both Dixfield and Wilton unanimously approved the purchase of a new fire truck Monday for the East Dixfield Fire Department.
During a short, joint meeting held at the fire station, selectmen from both towns agreed on the proposed purchase of a truck from E-One in Brunswick with delivery of the vehicle expected in the spring.
A new 2011 International truck with a five-man cab, holding 1,000 gallons of water and a 1250 gallon pump from E-One would cost $190,000 with added equipment bringing the price up to $200,000, Fire Chief Randy Hall told the boards.
Each town previously approved spending up to $100,000 for a truck at their respective town meetings.
Since then the department has looked at new and also used fire trucks with no success, he said.
“Some of the used trucks were no better than what we’ve got,” he said.
“The new truck will be ready to back in (to the station) fill with water and be ready to fight fires.”
Two years ago, the fire chief approached the boards looking to replace the department’s aging GMC truck, which had a list of mechanical issues, he reminded the boards.
Two applications for Homeland Security grants to help purchase a new truck were denied, he said.
Earlier this year he went back to both boards as the fire department covers the village of East Dixfield located in both towns.
The meeting held at the East Dixfield fire station is in Dixfield in Oxford County but across the road is Wilton, which is in Franklin County, he said.
Dixfield selectmen asked Dixfield Fire Chief Scott Dennett for his opinion on the purchase of a new truck.
Dennett told the board that he thought the East Dixfield department had “done their homework” and that a new truck would probably last longer. He thought a new truck would have a life expectancy of 25 years.
The current truck is 29 years old but was given a 25 year life expectancy.
“A used truck is on the market for a reason. We don’t buy used buses or police cars,” said firefighter Rodney Hall as he questioned whether both boards would approve enough money for any repairs needed on a used vehicle.
A 2008 used truck was only about a $15,000 difference in price to the new one, Chief Hall said.
Both boards separately voted unanimously to purchase a new truck and then each voted unanimously again to go with the E-One truck.
The boards discussed finance options including one town taking responsibility for the purchase and financing and then billing the other town for half the expense.
They then voted to let the Wilton and Dixfield town managers work with the town attorney on a finance plan that will be brought back to each board.
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