New fire tender generates village board debate

Discussions arose surrounding the topic of purchasing a new water tender for the Wittenberg Fire Department.

Representatives from the fire department and ambulance office were in person at the Aug. 17 Wittenberg Village Board meeting.

“Our water tender number two, being the newest one that we have, is officially out of service and being sold,” said Mark Karp, a representative from the Wittenberg Fire Department. “We have well over $35,000 worth of repairs just to make it safe to drive down the road now.”

Karp said that after doing research, the cost to build a new tender would be $250,000 from Stainless and Repair from Marshfield.

He asked the village board if they were willing to pay the same amount as the Town of Wittenberg.

“The town has given us $25,000 to date,” said Karp. “They have pledged at least the same amount for the 2022 budget. We are asking if the village would be kind enough to do the same thing.”

He said that if the village and the town can contribute that $50,000 over the next two years, then the fire board would contribute the same. Karp said that he and other representatives would go out and find other contributors for the remaining $100,000.

Board trustee Paul Yaeger said that the board was aware that the fire department needed a new tender. He suggested they buy one and split the cost between the town and the village.

“It should be sent 50% to them and let them figure out how to finance it, and it should be sent 50% to us and let us figure out how to finance it,” said Yaeger.

Karp said that they would not be able to receive the materials immediately to build the truck. Though this is the case, he said that the fire department would only need to put down $12,000 to secure building materials.

“This is not one of those situations where, ‘I have money; why don’t I buy a truck?’” said Karp. “This is going to be a lengthy process.”

He said he keeps running into the same problem — everyone he talks to agrees there is a need for the water tender, but no one is giving the fire department the green light to actually purchase it.

Brian Hamm, a member of the ambulance office, suggested that the village, town and fire boards sit down to discuss what the next few steps would be.

Yaeger also said they should buy a new truck rather than one that has been previously used.

“If someone is selling it, there is a reason they are selling it,” said Yaeger.

Board trustee David Timm countered that if the board cannot get the other entities to pitch in, then they will have to use their tax money.

“I don’t see why this village should have to pay all that money for that truck,” said Timm.

He also suggested that the fire department should look into applying for grants to help with the costs.

Yaeger said that the board should budget for half of the total cost of the truck in case something falls through.

“We better budget the half,” Yaeger said, “because once it’s ordered and once it’s coming and there is no donations and nothing else, we can pay the half.”

Board trustee Barb Buchholz said that she doesn’t want to be put into a situation where the village agrees to pay half, but the town ends up backing out.

Board president Bill Switalla responded by saying that the town won’t have a choice.

Members of the village board agreed to attend the Aug. 30 fire and ambulance board meeting to get more information and give their thoughts. The board also voted to grant Karp’s request of $50,000 for the water tender to come in 2022. With board trustee Renee Switalla absent, the board voted 5-1 on granting Karp’s request, wih Timm voting no.

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com