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07/06/2021 01:00 PMAt a town meeting on June 29, the citizens of Deep River unanimously approved increasing a $700,000 appropriation for a new fire truck by $100,000, for a total of $800,000.
The new truck will replace an apparatus from 1983 and will be the first truck deployed from Fire Department headquarters at 57 Union Street in response to fire emergencies, according to the Fire Department.
The town meeting was one of the first since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year that did not have an online component. Approximately 40 citizens gathered in-person in the town’s auditorium to participate.
“It’s great to see everybody crowded in a room,” said First Selectman Angus McDonald. “It’s great to see people together for the purpose of moving the town forward for things like this…I’m very happy to be here tonight.”
An increase to the appropriation of $700,000 for the fire truck, which was approved as part of the town’s fiscal year 2021–‘22 budget, was deemed necessary after members of the Fire Department sought formal bids for the project, McDonald said.
The fire department requested proposals for the truck from six vendors. All four formal cost estimates received by the department came in over the appropriated amount of $700,000.
It was determined at a June 17 meeting of the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen with members of the Fire Department, that a bid for $750,163.64 from a local Connecticut company was the best option, with approximately $40,000 needed to purchase additional equipment such as hoses, tools, and radio equipment.
During the June 29 town meeting, McDonald responded to various questions from citizens, including one related to how the truck that is being replaced will be used.
“The old truck will be either sold or donated,” said McDonald. “My own feeling is, I know that there are communities around this country that are desperate for a fire truck and would very much appreciate this.”
Other questions centered on the process and the amount originally appropriated.
“We were using a number that was an estimate,” said McDonald. “We had not received bids when we put the budget together. We assumed the $700,000 was going to be enough.”
McDonald explained further, “the first year that we were going for this, we determined that it would be better for the community to try and finance this truck with a grant. We applied for that grant, and we were not successful.
“The next year, we went to the Board of Finance. The Board of Finance determined at that time that the fear of the affects of COVID on the town finances did not justify purchase of the truck,” he continued.
“We are here as soon as we can to get back into the process. The Fire Department has never slowed down trying to get the truck. The Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance have never slowed down in trying to get this truck,” said McDonald.
Gary Clark, a resident of Deep River, also spoke before a vote was taken.
“First off, I would like to thank every fireman here,” he said. “You guys volunteer a ton of time and it’s incredibly appreciated by all of us. The only thing we have to think about is the alternative. What’s the alternative? It’s a paid fire department.
“Do you have any idea what that would cost the town? Never mind equipment, people, facilities, everything. This $100,000…is peanuts compared to what that would cost. So, everybody, please just think about that,” he continued.
After the vote approving the increase to the appropriation was taken, it was met with applause from citizens at the meeting.
Immediately following, the Courier asked Fire Chief Timothy “Tim” Lee for comment.
“We’ve been working for this for a while, so a lot of time and a lot of hours have been put in by the committee and membership to spec out something to fit the needs of the town. So, it’s been something we’ve been working on for a long time and it’s great to see it finally going through,” said Lee.
It is anticipated that the truck will be delivered to the Deep River Fire Department sometime next summer.