Sussex plans to buy 2 fire trucks

SUSSEX BOROUGH — In a room packed full of Sussex Fire Department supporters at the Sussex Borough Council meeting Nov. 4, the council discussed for about 40 minutes the pros and cons of buying two fire trucks at the cost of $866,923.

In the end, the council voted 3-1 in favor of the two fire trucks, with one abstention and absence.

Council President Linda Masson voted against two trucks because the Council had planned to buy only one at this time. Councilman Robert Holowach abstained because he is the fire commissioner in Sussex, based on counsel from Borough Attorney Francis J. McGovern. Councilwoman Annette Stendor was absent.

The council also voted unanimously for a $500,000 bond ordinance as a fallback position to one fire truck, in case of unforeseen problems.

Councilwoman Georgeanna Stoll proposed the amendment to buy two trucks. The council discussed increasing the bond from $500,000 to possibly $1,000,000, thus, saving $50,000. Two individual bonds would cost $50,000 a piece.

The council also discussed the need for two meetings to change the amount of the bond. They also concurred that to make a change of this magnitude, they should first consult their Chief Financial Officer and Bond Counsel.

Mayor Jonathan Rose further explained that the council was prepared to buy one fire truck with relatively minimal impact on the taxpayer. However, the addition of buying the second truck could roughly result in a 5 percent to 6 percent tax increase based on a $100,000 house.

Before the vote, Fire Chief Jake Little reminded the council that the cost of a second fire truck would be locked in at the 2015 rate, and they would not have to pay for it until 2017. He also said that they will need a new pumper in 2017.

Howard Snow of Eagle Fire Equipment explained there will be new emission standards in 2017 for diesel engines, which could add to the cost of the second fire truck.