Somersworth approves up to $85,000 to repair out-of-service ladder truck

The Somersworth City Council on May 19 authorized the city manager to contract with New England Fire Equipment and Apparatus Corporation of North Haven, Connecticut, to make emergency repairs to Fire Truck 1 for an amount not to exceed $85,000.

The nut graf: Councilors and committee members said Truck 1 — a 2006 Smeal aerial apparatus — was found to have a significant hydraulic leak and other deficiencies during inspection, forcing it out of service; replacement would take several years, so repairing the unit now is necessary to maintain operational capacity.

Chief Moore and staff presented quotes showing a difference of roughly $20,000 between fully new parts and rebuilding/refurbishing parts; the council and finance committee supported using all-new parts. The finance committee recommended a motion not to exceed $85,000 to include contingency and travel costs for equipment transport.

Councilor Martin Pepin moved to adopt Resolution 56-25; Councilor Kenneth S. Vincent seconded. After a brief discussion about mutual-aid coverage while Truck 1 is repaired and the need to avoid short-changing safety equipment, the council voted to adopt the resolution. A supplemental appropriation ordinance (Ordinance 24-25) to appropriate $85,000 from the unassigned fund balance to the firefighting budget was read on first reading and will require a public hearing and a two-thirds majority at the next meeting.

Officials said replacement of a similar aerial apparatus is a multi-year process with delivery times of three to four years, so repairing the existing truck is the practical near-term option. The city reported arrangements with mutual-aid partners to ensure coverage while the truck is out of service. The emergency repair contract will proceed under the manager’s authority up to the approved amount.