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Resident warns town the proposed fire truck may exceed gross vehicle weight; asks for weight guarantee and performance bond
Summary
A public commenter with apparatus experience told the board that preliminary calculations suggest the planned fire truck could exceed the manufacturer's gross vehicle-weight rating (GVWR) once fully equipped and urged the town to require a delivered-weight guarantee and a performance bond; the board agreed to add the topic to a future agenda and to "trust but verify."
During public comment a resident and fire-apparatus expert presented calculations and concerns about the fire-truck purchase the town is preparing to finalize. The speaker said they had added up published weights for equipment listed in the truck proposal and found the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) would likely be exceeded once the truck is fully outfitted.
"I'm already at the gross vehicle weight ... This truck cannot be built this way," the commenter told the board, saying the delivered vehicle needed to be weighed with all equipment, full fuel and occupant weight and that the town should require axle-scale readings at delivery. The commenter also urged the town to require a performance bond to protect the municipality if the vendor goes out of business before completing modifications.
Board members responded that they value the commenter's expertise and said staff and the fire chief would review the materials. "We're going to trust you and Taylor, but we're going to verify," one board member said. The board asked the town manager to ensure the commenter's materials are shared with the fire department and scheduled the truck for discussion on a future agenda so the board can examine specifications and contract terms (including any performance bond) prior to final contract execution.
