Winona Talks Fire Truck Purchase
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
The current ladder truck is a 1984 truck that is worn down, according to Mitch Titus, Winona Lake fire chief.
He said he has received two ladder truck quotes on used trucks. They include a $120,000 quote from Mokena, Illinois, for a 1998 truck with 4,500 miles, and a 2000 truck from Texas that has 6,000 miles and is $265,000.
Titus said the approximate cost of a new ladder truck is $475,000.
Titus said the town needs a ladder truck that would help serve Grace College and two- and three-story homes in the town.
Councilman Philip Hood requested Titus provide the council with a timeline for fire truck repairs expected in the future.
The council will again review the purchase at its Oct. 9 meeting.
Councilman John Boal asked if there is additional training required for volunteer firemen to set up a ladder truck at Grace College.
Titus said there is no additional training, but firefighters are required to complete driving courses and prove they can operate the truck and complete obstacle training.
Boal also asked the fire department to provide a report on fire runs. Titus said the department is working on the report that will be provided to the council.
Boal asked if the current fire station is adequate to house another fire truck.
Titus said a vehicle exhaust system needs to be raised a foot to accommodate another fire truck.
Craig Allebach, town coordinator, said he will meet with Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer to discuss a fire mutual aid agreement.
The council also held its public hearing on the 2013 budget. The council will adopt it at the Oct. 9 meeting.
The 2013 budget is being proposed at $2.52 million, and the 2012 budget was $2.54 million.
The budget shows a 0.0057 percent reduction. It also includes a 3-percent employee salary increase, with the exception of no increase for the town coordinator and a 5-percent reduction in salary for the clerk-treasurer.
Also during the meeting, Allebach said an unidentified person has expressed interest in taking over the lodge.
The council agreed that the individual must come to a council meeting before the Nov. 13 meeting to provide financial plans and a proposal for the lodge.
The town has closed the lodge due to mold found in the air there.
Pete O’Connell, street superintendent, said the lift station will be installed on Wooster Road the second week in October and sewer work will be completed then.
Winona Happenings include a fall festival in the Village at Winona Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the British Car Show in the village Oct. 6.
Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation Hall of Fame dinner is Nov. 8 at Champaigne Jam. Social hour is at 6 p.m. and dinner is at 6:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
Latest News
E-Editions
The current ladder truck is a 1984 truck that is worn down, according to Mitch Titus, Winona Lake fire chief.
He said he has received two ladder truck quotes on used trucks. They include a $120,000 quote from Mokena, Illinois, for a 1998 truck with 4,500 miles, and a 2000 truck from Texas that has 6,000 miles and is $265,000.
Titus said the approximate cost of a new ladder truck is $475,000.
Titus said the town needs a ladder truck that would help serve Grace College and two- and three-story homes in the town.
Councilman Philip Hood requested Titus provide the council with a timeline for fire truck repairs expected in the future.
The council will again review the purchase at its Oct. 9 meeting.
Councilman John Boal asked if there is additional training required for volunteer firemen to set up a ladder truck at Grace College.
Titus said there is no additional training, but firefighters are required to complete driving courses and prove they can operate the truck and complete obstacle training.
Boal also asked the fire department to provide a report on fire runs. Titus said the department is working on the report that will be provided to the council.
Boal asked if the current fire station is adequate to house another fire truck.
Titus said a vehicle exhaust system needs to be raised a foot to accommodate another fire truck.
Craig Allebach, town coordinator, said he will meet with Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer to discuss a fire mutual aid agreement.
The council also held its public hearing on the 2013 budget. The council will adopt it at the Oct. 9 meeting.
The 2013 budget is being proposed at $2.52 million, and the 2012 budget was $2.54 million.
The budget shows a 0.0057 percent reduction. It also includes a 3-percent employee salary increase, with the exception of no increase for the town coordinator and a 5-percent reduction in salary for the clerk-treasurer.
Also during the meeting, Allebach said an unidentified person has expressed interest in taking over the lodge.
The council agreed that the individual must come to a council meeting before the Nov. 13 meeting to provide financial plans and a proposal for the lodge.
The town has closed the lodge due to mold found in the air there.
Pete O’Connell, street superintendent, said the lift station will be installed on Wooster Road the second week in October and sewer work will be completed then.
Winona Happenings include a fall festival in the Village at Winona Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the British Car Show in the village Oct. 6.
Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation Hall of Fame dinner is Nov. 8 at Champaigne Jam. Social hour is at 6 p.m. and dinner is at 6:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092