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Fire chief asks board to advance $1.5M pumper replacement; tanker refurb deferred for study
Summary
Fire Department presented FY27 operating request and capital priorities, including a $1.5 million pumper replacement this year, deferred tanker refurbishment pending mechanical evaluation, and a longer‑term discussion of a second station to address coverage and apparatus size constraints.
The fire department outlined operations, staffing and capital needs as part of the FY27 budget review.
A department representative described 1,239 fire‑service calls last year, 44 coded fires (12 involving structures) and emphasized public education and inspection work. The operating request for FY27 was presented as $4,844,000, roughly a 1.1% increase driven largely by staffing and negotiated salary adjustments already included in projections.
On capital, the department proposed accelerating a frontline pumper replacement at an estimated $1.5 million to replace a 30‑year‑old apparatus. The department said the tanker refurbishment quote received was incomplete and asked to defer that project to FY28 while staff evaluate refurbishment vs. replacement and related mechanics work. The chief also raised a facility constraint: some new ladder apparatus will not fit in the existing downtown firehouse, prompting discussion of a phased approach that could include a second station in the North Wilton/Valley Road area to improve response times and relieve downtown apparatus storage constraints.
Board members asked about life expectancy on refurbished vehicles (department estimated 10–12 years for major refurbishments), supply chain timelines for new apparatus (multiple years), and whether new apparatus would fit in current facilities. The department said it will provide a written replacement schedule and supporting analysis.
