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Menands board moves to pursue purchase of demo fire truck as insurance review continues
Summary
Facing likely total losses to two fire apparatus and a lengthy insurance investigation, the village board agreed to file intent to buy a Vandermolen demo unit priced at $984,153.34 to restore department capacity quickly; trustees discussed budget exposure and timing risks tied to insurance settlements.
The Menands fire chief told the Village Board the manufacturer has declined to certify two damaged apparatus as safe to return to service, effectively treating them as total losses. The chief said a full re-chassis and repair could cost roughly $1,600,000 per vehicle and that the village had received a quote to buy a stock demo unit priced at $984,153.34.
"We were given a price of $984,153.34," the chief said, urging the board to consider signing an agreement to purchase the demo apparatus so the department can return to full operational capacity sooner than waiting for insurance and replacement lead times.
Trustees and the mayor discussed the insurance timeline and fiscal exposure. The chief said the insurance investigation remains ongoing and that it could take about three months for an investigation to identify cause and for insurers to finalize total-loss determinations; he told trustees the manufacturer has indicated it can hold the demo unit "as long as you need it to" but noted timing and availability are not guaranteed.
The chief said roughly $75,000 is currently available in the equipment budget and that insurance, if it fully pays replacement value for losses, would free up remaining budget capacity. Trustees expressed concern about the risk that a demo unit might be claimed by another purchaser if purchase paperwork is delayed, but several board members said the potential service and safety benefits outweighed that risk.
Trustee (voice 5) moved "for Brian to file our intent to purchase a stock demo vehicle at $984,153 and 34" from Vandermolen Corporation; the motion was seconded and the board signaled support to proceed. The board directed staff to follow up on paperwork the next morning to execute the purchase intent and to coordinate with the villageʼs insurance agent.
The board did not adopt a final payment plan during the meeting; trustees indicated they would rely on insurance proceeds, available equipment budget lines (approximately $75,000 noted by the chief) and additional follow-up discussion to determine village financial exposure if insurance does not fully cover replacement costs.
