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Council to place $4 million bond for ladder and rescue trucks on November ballot
Summary
After a public hearing with mixed public reaction about tax impacts, the council approved a motion to put a bond question on the November ballot to finance purchase of a new aerial ladder and a heavy rescue truck; chief said current vehicles date from 1997 and 2001.
The Wethersfield Town Council voted to place a bond referendum on the November ballot to finance up to $4,000,000 for a new aerial ladder truck and a heavy rescue vehicle for the fire department. Fire Chief Schroll told the council the ladder truck is a 1997 100‑foot aerial that will be 30 years old next year and the rescue truck dates to 2001; both are past recommended replacement windows and increasingly costly to maintain.
"The two vehicles that we're looking to replace are a 1997 100‑foot aerial ladder that is almost 30 years old ... and the 2001 heavy duty rescue truck," Chief Schroll said, adding that regulatory guidance suggests replacement cycles well under current ages. Several residents during the hearing urged caution because of rising tax and debt service pressures; Robert Young and Bob Woodward said increased borrowing, paired with recent school project debt, will raise tax bills for some households.
Councilors said equipment replacement is urgent, noting delivery times could be lengthy: "If a new vehicle were purchased today, expected delivery from signing of contract to delivery of this apparatus could be as long as 26 to 30 months," a councilor summarized from staff materials. The council approved moving the bond question to referendum to allow voters to decide in November. Town staff will work with finance and counsel to prepare ballot language and cost estimates for the public information campaign.
