Waterford trustees approve up to $900,000 for new Pierce fire engine and authorize funds to buy a second

Trustees for Waterford Township on March 10 approved releasing up to $900,000 from previously approved 2025 budget funds for the purchase of a Pierce Sabre side-mount pumper and later approved a separate budget amendment to transfer up to $900,000 from the Capital 330 fund to buy a second, identical unit.

The first vote authorized the release of up to $900,000 to cover the purchase of a Pierce pumper, with the department reporting a quoted cost of $925,958 and a prepayment discount of $35,680 that reduced the purchase price to $890,278. Fire department leaders told the board that the vendor offered a 100% prepayment option that produced the discount and a build time of 10 to 13 months, well below the 36-to-48-month industry standard.

The request was presented by the fire department apparatus committee and the department chief, who said the lower price and short delivery window were the product of competitive bidding, vendor negotiations and a dealer incentive tied to prepayment. The chief asked the board to authorize release of up to $900,000 to cover the purchase and any minor adjustments; trustees approved the motion by roll call, with all seven members voting yes.

The board later considered a related budget amendment after the apparatus committee reported that a second identical dealer incentive was available for the next production slot. Trustees approved transferring up to $900,000 from the Capital 330 fund (identified in the meeting as the 3 30 fund) to expense line 20630-97136 to finance a second Pierce Sabre side-mount pumper, with the same $890,278 prepayment price cited and a requested contingency to cover small cost changes before production. The board's finance staff and the supervisor told trustees the 3 30 fund contained sufficient resources and that no additional fire engine purchase would be planned for 2026 so the fund could be replenished from special assessment district (SAD) revenue.

Officials said the department's frontline fleet is older than typical replacement cycles (some frontline engines cited as 21—23 years old) and that securing two units now at the discounted price and fast build time would save the township money compared with waiting. The chief also described planned inspection and acceptance procedures: two apparatus-committee members and the deputy chief would inspect the vehicle at the factory and again at the dealer before final acceptance; the department will return to the board for any additional steps required by procurement policy.

Trustees approved both the initial release and the budget-transfer amendment by roll call. The first motion carried 7-0; the budget amendment to transfer up to $900,000 also passed 7-0.

Quotes in this article come from remarks recorded in the March 10 meeting by the presenting fire department chief and members of the apparatus committee and board.