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Ballston Spa board authorizes up to $815,000 in bonds for new pumper truck
Summary
The Village Board adopted an authorization resolution allowing up to $815,000 in serial bonds to finance a new pumper to replace Engine 141, which has been in service since 1991; the measure passed by roll call and is subject to a 30-day permissive referendum and a 20-day estoppel period.
The Ballston Spa Village Board on May 26 approved an authorization resolution enabling the village to issue up to $815,000 in serial bonds to finance the purchase of a new pumper fire truck.
Bill Kenny, who identified himself to the board as involved with fire purchasing, said the current Engine 141 has been in service since 1991, that the department has spent roughly $40,000 on repairs in the past decade and that National Fire Protection Association guidance assumes much shorter front-line service lives. "So the cost of the new one is right around $800,000," Kenny said, and he estimated the existing truck could fetch about $50,000 if sold.
The village attorney explained the authorization resolution does not require immediate spending but allows the municipality to pursue financing. "The resolution authorizes up to $815,000 in financing," the attorney said, noting that four of five trustees must approve the bond resolution and that the action is subject to a 30-day permissive referendum and a subsequent 20-day estoppel period.
Trustees moved to adopt the authorization resolution and completed a roll-call vote; the board recorded four affirmative votes, approving the authorization. The attorney and staff said the authorization is intended to include a modest contingency above the expected purchase price so the village would not have to return to referendum if related costs change.
The board and staff said the department plans to order a chassis and have a truck available more quickly than for a fully custom pumper, with delivery likely in the fall if ordered in coming months. Officials also cited multi-municipal budgeting and recent debt retirements that free budget capacity to carry the new obligation.
The authorization is now subject to the permissive-referendum and estoppel windows described by counsel; if no petition is filed within 30 days the village may proceed after the additional estoppel period. The village did not adopt final financing terms at the meeting; staff said formal bond issuance steps will follow later if the village proceeds.
