Members of Budget Committee and Select Board examine body and frame of North Yarmouth Fire and Rescue vehicle Engine 51. The firetruck is slated to be replaced in 2025. A $1 million bond is proposed to fund the capital expenditure.
According Chief Greg Payson's budget presentation, rust is causing the truck body to sag, affecting onboard electronics.
With production lead time estimated at two years, contracting the purchase this year would ensure delivery in 2025 and lock-in current price.
Cost for new fire and rescue vehicles has skyrocketed during the past two years, increasing by 37% last year alone. According to Payson, an engine purchased by Scarborough in 2021 cost $647,000. The same vehicle, if purchased today, would be $975,000.
Members from Select Board and Budget Committee inspected the undercarriage of Engine 51 on April 23, and were joined by interested residents. Autobody and commercial equipment repair experts, Ronnie Burgess and Kevin Robinson, noted significant visible rust and flaking metal but said it was confined to the rear “L” extension. Both stated rusting floor section could be replaced and did not see damage to the frame.
Robinson said the town’s twenty-year-old Pierce Pumper was in overall good condition. “[Engine 51] has been well maintained and has very low miles on it.”
Examination verified rust along rear body section, leak at foam spray pump connections, and rust at water pump connections. According to Robinson, these issues could be repaired. He did note the plumbing work might be labor intensive due to the location.
Problems with the electrical system could not be verified.
Repairing the truck could extend the life of the vehicle by five years.
Robinson contacted the town, urging them to have the truck inspected by a third-party contractor, suggesting Northeast Fire Apparatus in Auburn.
With an equipment delivery lead time of two years, Robinson said repairs will need to be done on the truck, anyway. He went on to state estimates for both a repair as well as a complete refurbish should be requested. “This would give us solid information to present to the voters and allow an informed decision.”
Budget Chair Andy Walsh opposes bonding but does not know how it can be avoided for such a large purchase, right now. Deferring the purchase five years might not be enough. A $380,000 budgeting error for FY22 impacts available capital reserves. According to Walsh, it is likely not possible to boost reserves enough to have the funds to purchase a new truck without bonding.
Budget documents list the town's tanker truck #53 as scheduled to be replaced in 2026 ($800,000), ambulance #56 in 2027 ($425,000), and brush truck #57 in 2029 ($350,000). NYFV emailed the Town Manager to clarify timeline for replacement of all fire and rescue vehicles but did not have reply by time of publication.
Proposed capital expenditures budget will be discussed by the Select Board and Budget committees this week. Select Board meets April 25 at 6 pm, and Budget Committee meets April 27 at 6 pm.