Pittsfield to acquire pumper firetruck

PITTSFIELD – Pittsfield’s Town Council on Tuesday night approved the purchase of a used firetruck, a 2004 Pierce pumper that councilors, firefighters and others got a chance to inspect before the meeting.

Fire Chief Bernard Williams said the pumper, a demonstration model, originally sold for $412,000 and could be purchased by Pittsfield for $285,000.

He explained that the truck comes with a new vehicle warranty and “is pretty close to the specifications we have been working on. I wouldn’t have brought this before the council if it wasn’t a good deal for the town,” he added.

The truck will replace a 31-year-old Howe-International pumper-tanker that was originally scheduled to be replaced in 2003.

The Fire Department had been working on truck specifications for more than a year when this opportunity became available. Funding for the truck could be completed by taking $202,442 from a Fire Department reserve account, taking $15,000 from the 2005 budget allocation and obtaining $123,000 by borrowing or bonding. The council, concerned about funding, appointed Councilor Michael Gray to work with Town Manager Kathryn Ruth and Williams on a financing package from Pierce.

In other business, the council:

. Approved a change to the town’s code of ethics regarding hiring practices.

. Awarded the $116,406 paving contract to Kennebec Paving.

. Set a public hearing to take comment on eliminating parking on both sides of Mill and Cottage streets.

. Approved the renewal of Pittsfield Motor Inn’s liquor and special amusement licenses.

. Established a formal process for councilors to obtain legal opinions.