Fire Department Looking at a Larger Ladder Truck

With permission to waive the bidding process in hand, the Fire Department can now purchase a larger ladder truck. 

The Town Council officially waived the bid on Tuesday. The truck, a used, 1990 Pierce Arrow currently in the town of Berlin, features a 105-foot ladder, which, fire and town officials said, is now needed because of the current makeup of the town. 

Berlin is asking $65,000 for the truck, money that Tolland has already set aside in an account dedicated to funds for refurbishing the existing ladder truck, Town Manager Steven Werbner said. 

The bid waiver was requested to pay for refurbishing the larger truck once it is purchased, Werbner said. Rocky Hill-based Firematic Supply Co. is familiar with the truck and the council authorized the waiver for labor and materials not to exceed $121,432 for the work. That money would come out of a capital improvement account, Werbner said. 

Firematic is the closest authorized Pierce dealer and is considered a sole source fore the work, Werbner said. 

Firematic has also agreed to broker a deal for the town's existing truck - known as Aerial Fire Truck 240 - and proceeds from the sale would go into a capital fire apparatus reserve fund, Werbner said.

Truck 240 has a 75-foot ladder reach, Public Safety Supervisor and Fire Chief John Littell said. He said he has already received inquiries about the truck.