Also present at the May 19 meeting were members of the fire department, including Moretown Fire Chief Eric Howes, who spoke to the need to move forward with the emergency vehicle purchased approved at the March 4 Town Meeting.
While the fire department has submitted a grant application to FEMA to offset the truck's cost, Howes said he is concerned that if they wait to hear about the grant, prices will increase up to five percent, as estimated by Dingee Machines.
The department's current vehicle, a 1987 van, "doesn't suit our needs," according to Howes, and should be replaced by a four-wheel diesel-engine rescue vehicle, similar to an ambulance.
"It's a 21-year-old truck," Howes said. "It can only safely carry two people with seatbelts," he added.
The new vehicle will have a walk-in body and a four-door cab, with multiple roll-up doors for tool storage and easy access to equipment.
Howes said he would like to be able to order the truck by June 1 and not miss the deadline for 2009. Moretown voters approved an article at Town Meeting for the fire department's truck purchase not to exceed approximately $160,000.
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