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Council approves bond ordinance funding ladder truck and Robinson House repairs after public questions on costs
Summary
Council adopted a bond ordinance that includes $2.3 million for a new ladder truck and funds for road work and the Robinson House; a resident questioned truck need and call volumes at the public hearing.
The Township of Clark council adopted a bond ordinance on April 21 that will fund several capital projects, including a planned new ladder truck for the fire department and rehabilitation work at the Robinson House. The ordinance authorizes approximately $3.34 million in appropriations and includes state grant offsets, officials said.
At a public hearing on the ordinance, resident Jeff Alexander questioned whether Clark needed another fire apparatus and compared Clark’s fleet and call volumes with neighboring towns. Alexander, who identified himself as a Clark resident, said he found the town’s call volume figures low relative to the number of trucks and asked what happens to older apparatus once replaced. “So it seems disproportionate to the number of trucks we have,” Alexander said.
Business Administrator James Ulrich and other officials responded that the purchase is for a ladder truck specially configured for building sizes and mutual-aid needs. Ulrich said the existing American LaFrance ladder truck is approaching 25 years old and would be auctioned or traded in when the new apparatus is delivered; he noted long manufacturer lead times of about 18 to 30 months. Ulrich also described different types of fire apparatus (pumpers, quints, rescue trucks) and said trucks serve distinct operational roles.
Mayor Albanese and council members noted the purchase will be heavily grant-funded; officials said federal/state and local allocations cover a substantial share and that the township will receive roughly 75 cents on the dollar toward the new ladder truck under the grant secured with help from state legislative leadership. The ordinance also includes road-improvement and IT allocations and grant offsets for Valley Road and Robinson House repairs.
The council moved and adopted the bond ordinance by roll call. Officials said delivery of the new ladder truck is expected in one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half years and the outgoing ladder truck will be sold or donated depending on market conditions.
