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Mohawk, N.Y. —
The Mohawk Village Board of Trustees opened up bids on potential aerial ladder trucks on Monday night and decided to hold a public, informational meeting to discuss facts on the possible trucks and how it can affect taxpayers.
The board had passed a resolution previously to bond or get a tax-exempt lease on a fire apparatus costing up to $500,000.
The first bid was from Tyler Fire Equipment for a 2008 Pierce with an eight to nine month delivery costing $574,718. The second was from Command Fire Apparatus for a used 1999 Suftphen Quint with 30 day delivery for $385,000. The second was bid by Northern Fire Equipment for a $459,657 with a 30 day delivery. The third bid was unclear on the truck’s model and specifications.
In answering a question posed from a taxpayer on how a new truck would impact taxes, Chief Chris Edick said there is no easy answer in this situation and the village will pay either way.
“At the end of the day, the village will pay one way or another,” said Edick, who added he didn’t have the necessary information to find out the tax impact.
He said he and other members of the fire department have researched many options, but the said the situation comes down to ground ladders, which would be equipped on a ladder truck. Edick said there are 473 structures in the village now the department is gambling on because it doesn’t have ground ladders with the proper height to service these structures and would have to call for mutual aid.
“We’re looking out for everyone and the right thing for the community,” said Edick.
Among the village’s other options was an offer from the village of Ilion for the Ilion Fire Department to provide its ladder truck when needed.
Mayor Irene Sweet said the board is very conscious of the impact the truck could have on taxpayers. She said Mohawk is restricted when buying because of height and length restrictions associated with its fire department and building a new station would be too costly.
Edick said he has tried three times to land a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to purchase a ladder truck, but has been unsuccessful each time.
He added that one of his goals as chief was to downsize the number of department vehicles to four and said the department is on its way to accomplishing that.
Fire department Captain Joe Crisino added that firefighters are taxpayers too and that the department is looking out for the residents’ safety.
A petition has been circulating its way around Mohawk to bring the potential purchase of the truck to a public vote. Bob Wright, one of the organizers of the petition, said over 300 signatures have been secured and 335 are needed by Wednesday at 4 p.m.
The board has set up an informational meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. at Jarvis High School to discuss the situation with interested taxpayers and residents. Board members and the Mohawk Fire Department Council will be on hand to answer questions.
The Mohawk Village Board of Trustees opened up bids on potential aerial ladder trucks on Monday night and decided to hold a public, informational meeting to discuss facts on the possible trucks and how it can affect taxpayers.
The board had passed a resolution previously to bond or get a tax-exempt lease on a fire apparatus costing up to $500,000.
The first bid was from Tyler Fire Equipment for a 2008 Pierce with an eight to nine month delivery costing $574,718. The second was from Command Fire Apparatus for a used 1999 Suftphen Quint with 30 day delivery for $385,000. The second was bid by Northern Fire Equipment for a $459,657 with a 30 day delivery. The third bid was unclear on the truck’s model and specifications.
In answering a question posed from a taxpayer on how a new truck would impact taxes, Chief Chris Edick said there is no easy answer in this situation and the village will pay either way.
“At the end of the day, the village will pay one way or another,” said Edick, who added he didn’t have the necessary information to find out the tax impact.
He said he and other members of the fire department have researched many options, but the said the situation comes down to ground ladders, which would be equipped on a ladder truck. Edick said there are 473 structures in the village now the department is gambling on because it doesn’t have ground ladders with the proper height to service these structures and would have to call for mutual aid.
“We’re looking out for everyone and the right thing for the community,” said Edick.
Among the village’s other options was an offer from the village of Ilion for the Ilion Fire Department to provide its ladder truck when needed.
Mayor Irene Sweet said the board is very conscious of the impact the truck could have on taxpayers. She said Mohawk is restricted when buying because of height and length restrictions associated with its fire department and building a new station would be too costly.
Edick said he has tried three times to land a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to purchase a ladder truck, but has been unsuccessful each time.
He added that one of his goals as chief was to downsize the number of department vehicles to four and said the department is on its way to accomplishing that.
Fire department Captain Joe Crisino added that firefighters are taxpayers too and that the department is looking out for the residents’ safety.
A petition has been circulating its way around Mohawk to bring the potential purchase of the truck to a public vote. Bob Wright, one of the organizers of the petition, said over 300 signatures have been secured and 335 are needed by Wednesday at 4 p.m.
The board has set up an informational meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. at Jarvis High School to discuss the situation with interested taxpayers and residents. Board members and the Mohawk Fire Department Council will be on hand to answer questions.
