The town of Oconto Falls plans to purchase a new water tender for the fire department and add $65 to property tax bills for the next five years to pay for it.
Five town residents attending a special meeting on Dec. 2 and Town Board members unanimously approved the purchase of the tender, which will replace a failing 1993 Ford truck in use by the Oconto Falls Fire Department. The Town Board will formalize the purchase at its meeting Dec. 14.
A water tender, or tanker, is a vehicle designed to transport water from a water source, such as a stream, lake or hydrant, to a fire scene. The town of Oconto Falls contracts with the city for fire protection, and the purchase of the tender is part of the city/town agreement.
The town received five bids ranging from $95,000 for the chassis only from Packer City International in Shawano to $228,804 for the complete truck from Green Bay Truck Sales. Ultimately, the town opted to contract with Custom Fab & Body in Marion for an International 370 truck at a base price of $201,285.
A committee of six people, including Town Chairman Dave Alsteen and Oconto Falls Fire Chief Tim Magnin, reviewed the bids and selected the Marion firm.
The committee made several changes to the original proposal, such as relocating the racks for the two portable water tanks from the top to the sides of the truck. Doing so lowers the height of the truck about 1 1/2 feet and increases safety for fire personnel, Alsteen said.
In addition, tank covers were added to protect the tanks from wind damage.
“Driving down the road you have the wind chills,” Magnin said. “Having that on there will save big maintenance down the road.”
A portable heater for exterior panel gauges was added in order to prevent freezing during winter months.
“That’s something I really think should be there. If you have a freeze up, it’s expensive to fix,” Magnin said.
Another modification was a heavy-duty hitch at a cost of $400, capable of pulling the equipment trailer more efficiently.
The changes added another $13,700 to the base price, bringing the total to $215,000.
“It’s the cheapest one and a better truck for less money. It was a no-brainer for the committee to agree on it,” Alsteen said.
The town will pay for the truck by adding a special assessment to the property tax roll for the next five years. By charging $65 per year for each parcel, the town expects to pay for the truck in five years.
The town has not decided on a lender but is getting rates from Custom Fab and various banks. The old truck will be put up for sale to help defray the cost of the new truck.
Advantages of the new truck include a polymer tank, better horsepower and a heavier, air-ride rear suspension. The purchase was approved despite concerns about low turnout at the meeting.
“Do we have to have a certain number of people here to vote on it?” town resident Gwen Holtz asked. “I don’t think we have a good enough representation of townspeople here.”
“I can’t help it,” Alsteen replied. “We’ve published it.”
Town clerk Jan Betts said a notice about the special meeting was placed in the Oconto County Times Herald, on the town website and at Witt’s Piggly Wiggly, Town Hall, Club 32 and Sandy Corners Bar for three weeks.
“I’m for what we’re doing,” Town Supervisor Mike Kaczmarek said, “but I want to make sure that the people are for it. We just don’t have representation.”
Resident Tim O’Harrow urged residents at the meeting to act.
“Mike is saying not enough people are here. He’s not wrong, but it was noticed three weeks in the paper. It was big enough to see,” O’Harrow said. “It’s been noticed enough. We need fire protection. I think we should spend the money and get it done.”
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