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Candidates support bond to replace aging Loudon ladder truck; estimates vary on tax impact
Summary
Selectmen candidates described an aging ladder truck and backed a multi-year bond to secure a replacement, citing parts scarcity and growing local building heights; candidates gave differing estimates of the tax impact and warned of a multi-year lead time to receive a new unit.
At the Loudon forum, candidates and officials discussed a proposed bond to replace the town’s aging ladder truck, describing maintenance difficulties and the potential tax impact of financing a new apparatus.
Selectmen candidate Mark Griffin said he inspected the department’s ladder and described parts shortages and service interruptions. “It's not all of that's been in Loudon. ... it seems to sometimes get down on service and we have a harder time fixing it because of its age,” he said. He summarized a tax-impact chart he’d seen as roughly “25 cents per $1,000” in the first year, tapering in later years; other forum participants recalled seeing higher estimates.
Why it matters: The ladder truck is used for mutual-aid responses with neighboring Concord and for taller commercial and solar-equipped roofs that preclude ladder access. Speakers said a new aerial unit would preserve regional response capacity and prevent escalating retrofit costs if prices rise during a long manufacturing lead time.
Discussion highlights
- Condition and age: Candidates said the current ladder unit dates from about 2004 and was purchased used, complicating parts availability and repairs.
- Cost and financing: One speaker cited an initial cost “over $1.5 million” before fund offsets, with a proposed bond and manufacturer deposit intended to lock in price and avoid future increases. Estimates of the tax impact differed at the forum — one chart was described as about $0.25 per $1,000 in year one, another participant recalled seeing about $0.50 per $1,000. Presenters said the town would not pay the full purchase price up front but would use a bond schedule to spread payments.
- Lead time and mutual aid: Fire and selectmen candidates said manufacturers typically require two to three years to build a custom ladder truck; passing a bond and making a deposit aims to fix price escalation during that period. Candidates emphasized that Loudon’s equipment complements Concord’s and regional mutual-aid arrangements.
Community reaction and next steps
Speakers urged voters to weigh the long-term maintenance costs of continuing to operate an older aerial against the tax impact of a bond. Forum participants recommended that voters review the selectmen’s detailed bond proposal and attend the town meeting where the bond would be considered.
Ending
Candidates said the choice is between ongoing maintenance and parts scarcity for an older unit or paying to secure a modern ladder truck with a multi-year payment plan if voters approve the proposed bond.
