By JOE LoTEMPLIO
PLATTSBURGH — City of Plattsburgh councilors agreed to seek bids for a new fire truck but held off on any purchase decision.
The Fire Department is seeking a new aerial ladder truck to replace the existing aerial, which is 19 years old.
A new truck could cost as much as $885,000.
If the city waits until 2010, when new emissions requirements kick in, the price could go up another $20,000 to $30,000.
Fire Chief Paul Williams told councilors that he might be able to get a demo truck from 2006 or 2007 that could cost about $750,000.
The life expectancy of an aerial ladder is about 20 years. The city purchased the existing ladder truck brand new in 1991 for about $450,000.
Mayor Donald Kasprzak said he was not in favor of purchasing a new aerial ladder truck, at this point.
He said he believes the existing truck can last a few more years and that the city could use a $21,500 contribution it gets from Plattsburgh State each year to pay for the new emissions requirements.
At a recent meeting, councilors agreed to let Williams go out to bid for a new aerial but did not commit to making a purchase.
E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com
