Selectmen Approve $808K Fire Truck Request

After 14 months of research, study and viewing many models and options of fire trucks, the Clinton Fire Department Truck Committee made a request that the town purchase a $807,803 rescue fire truck from SVI Trucks of Fort Collins, Colorado.

The committee is composed of Jeff Heser, Brian Manware, Robert Corson, Brian White, Peter Sullivan, Ona Nejdl, Dolly Mezzetti and Michael Finkeldey.  They received a total of four bids from fire truck manufacturers including SVI (the winning bid), KME Kovatch (Bulldog), Marion Body Works and Rescue 1.

Manware said the rescue truck, which will replace the department's aging model, goes on every fire call. It has HAZMAT, ice rescue and many other capabilities the CVFD demands.

"It will be designed and built for the town of Clinton," said former fire chief Jeff Heser.

There are four SVI Rescue trucks in Connecticut including those at the Lyme, Old Lyme, Essex and Colchester fire departments, said Heser. All four fire departments were very happy with their products from SVI, he added.

Current chief Frank Schrempp said he was "100 percent behind the committee's recommendation."

The base price of the vehicle is $741,803. In addition, there is an equipment package of $60,000, and factory inspection trips of $6,000.

The Board of Selectmen, after a discussion of the process, approved in a unanimous vote to send a request of $808,000 to the Board of Finance.

"The Board of Finance will decide how to pay for it," said First Selectman Willie Fritz.

Town Finance Director Kevin Kane said there are several options available for purchase including buying it outright and in full from the town's undesignated fund balance, leasing it through a finance company such as Republic First National, and financing it through the issuance of bonds.  Kane said he did not recommend the second option due to high interest rates. Financing through this option could cost the town an additional $19,000 to $53,000 depending upon rate and length of lease.

The truck, if approved by the Board of Finance, will take almost a year (360 days) to be manufactured. When delivered to the town, the will turn the old vehicle over to the town so it can be sold.

As the committee members pointed out, old fire trucks are sold from one town to another all over the country.