Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Department Equipment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cushing selectmen consider $35,000 used 1995 fire truck, request technical follow-up
Summary
Selectmen reviewed a used 1995 International fire truck listed at $35,000, asked the owner to contact Fire Chief Arthur Kiskila about technical questions, and debated whether a used vehicle’s prorated lifetime cost could rival buying new.
The Town of Cushing selectmen discussed a possible purchase of a used 1995 International fire truck during their Aug. 24 meeting.
Selectman Laurie Haynes told the board she located a truck advertised by broker Jim Campbell, describing it as equipped with a 1,250-gallon-per-minute Hale pump and a 1,500-gallon poly tank and listed for $35,000. Fire Chief Arthur Kiskila said the vehicle does not have a 10-inch dump valve but that such a valve could likely be added. The board placed a conference call to the broker and asked that the owner contact Chief Kiskila to answer specific technical questions.
Some selectmen, including Selectman Martha Marchut, urged the board to consider whether financing a new truck might be preferable. Marchut noted that, when prorated over the expected life of the apparatus, a used truck could possibly cost as much as a new one. The minutes record that several selectmen said raising additional funds this year would be difficult, and Assistant Fire Chief Anthony Winchenbach was asked to gather online information and provide printed material to the selectmen for further review.
The discussion produced no formal purchase motion; the board directed follow-up technical contact with the owner and additional research by staff and volunteers. The selectmen did not set a timetable for a decision.
