By Keith O’Neil
The Lowell Sun
WILMINGTON, Mass. — Fire Chief Edward Bradbury presented to selectmen specifics of the Fire Department’s new firetruck during the board’s meeting last night at Town Hall.
“Some people will look at it as a monster,” said Selectman Michael McCoy, in reference to the new 47-foot-long and 12-foot-high truck. “But it is a life-saver.”
According to Town Manager Michael Caira, the new “state-of-the-art machine,” which cost $847,000, has $60,000 of equipment on it, including a 100-foot-long ladder.
During the presentation, Bradbury said the platform at the end of the ladder on the new fire engine can hold up to 1,400 pounds and/or four people. The ladder platform on the 1986 model, which the new engine is replacing, could only hold up to 250 pounds.
The last time Wilmington purchased a new fire engine was in 2001, according to Caira.
“It is the least we can do as a town to give you the equipment to do your job,” said Selectmen Chairman Louis Cimaglia IV.
“I hope we never have to use it, but I’m glad we got it,” added Selectman Michael Champoux.
According to Caira, the new vehicle was registered yesterday and will be in use in about four weeks. For now, firefighters are training on it.
Caira also announced that an open-forum discussion on the local property-tax policy will be held Monday, Nov. 22, at 7:15 p.m. at Town Hall.
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