New fire/rescue truck to cost city $526,664

Tecumseh City Council unanimously approved the purchase of a new pumper/rescue fire truck for the Tecumseh Fire Department. The cost of the vehicle is $526,664.80 and is being built by Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. of Appleton, Wisc. The price includes a $10,000 contingency for unexpected costs or for legal fees related to financing. The new vehicle will replace both a pumper truck, which is about 20 years old, and the department’s rescue vehicle, which is 14 years old. Six bids were sought and only one was returned to the city, which Joe Tuckey, Acting City Manager and Tecumseh Fire Chief, said isn’t uncommon. The new pumper/rescue vehicle will have a foam system allowing for Class A and Class B foams, pump and roll capabilities and tools to assist firefighters in automobile and agricultural accidents. The tools the department currently has for accidents are old and cannot cut through metals found on new cars, said Tuckey. The two trucks the new vehicle is replacing will be traded in for about $40,000, added Tuckey. The final price of the new pumper/rescue includes the trade in value. To pay for the new truck, council directed Tuckey to arrange lease purchase financing for the new fire truck. So far, Tuckey said he’s heard from Pierce, which submitted a lease financing proposal with an interest rate of 3.67 percent. Financing bids have also been sought locally from TLC Community Credit Union, Old National Bank, Key Bank, First Federal Bank and Huntington Bank. Financing terms sought are for five, 10, 12 and 15 years. Tuckey said 10 years is likely, as the department will need a new pumper/ladder truck in about seven years, but added the department could likely push that purchase out to 10 years so the city isn’t paying for two vehicles. The resolution states the interest rate not exceed five percent. Bids from the local financing institutions are required to be returned to the city by 2 p.m. Friday. Delivery of the new truck will be approximately a year, Tuckey said. In other business:• It was announced Angela Gwilt will replace Julie Craig as the city’s accountant clerk as Craig plans to retire this November• Tuckey said the “Welcome to Tecumseh” signs at the east and west ends of the city are scheduled to be painted starting September 9 by Krieghoff-Lenawee• Council approved a street closure for a block party on West Logan Street between North Union Street and North Maiden Lane on September 19 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.