No decision yet on whether to make fire truck purchase

PLATTSBURGH — City of Plattsburgh councilors agreed to seek bids for a new fire truck but held off on any purchase decision.

The Fire Department is seeking a new aerial ladder truck to replace the existing aerial, which is 19 years old.

A new truck could cost as much as $885,000.

If the city waits until 2010, when new emissions requirements kick in, the price could go up another $20,000 to $30,000.

Fire Chief Paul Williams told councilors that he might be able to get a demo truck from 2006 or 2007 that could cost about $750,000.

The life expectancy of an aerial ladder is about 20 years. The city purchased the existing ladder truck brand new in 1991 for about $450,000.

Mayor Donald Kasprzak said he was not in favor of purchasing a new aerial ladder truck, at this point.

He said he believes the existing truck can last a few more years and that the city could use a $21,500 contribution it gets from Plattsburgh State each year to pay for the new emissions requirements.

At a recent meeting, councilors agreed to let Williams go out to bid for a new aerial but did not commit to making a purchase.

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com