Thompson voters approve purchase of fire truck

The Community Fire Department will house the new ladder truck. Photo by D. Coffey.

Thompson voters unanimously approved a resolution appropriating $45,000 to help purchase a used hook and ladder truck for the Community Fire Department on Feb. 15. Thompson's only ladder truck has been out of service since September 2011, when it was taken out of service by the department's mechanic. Since then, Thompson's five volunteer fire departments have relied on mutual aid from neighboring towns to help, when needed.

A few weeks ago, Community Fire Department had to call for assistance when they responded to a call at the Early Childhood Center. “It was about 30 minutes before that truck got there,” said CFD Chief James Seney, Jr.

“We saw the need to come and ask folks about the truck,” said First Selectman Larry Groh, Jr. It is the first time the town has appropriated money for the purchase of a fire truck. Currently the town provides $35,000 a year to each of five volunteer fire departments.

“In the course of a year, we could use a ladder truck about 62 times,” said Seney. “It should be going out right away with fire alarms. If we had to rely on mutual aid, with fuel economy and stuff, other departments would be spending about $500 a year coming to our town to cover us. So it would get expensive.”

Seney already had a proposal waiting to go for a 1991 tower truck in New York. Two mechanics and a certified ladder tester had already been sent to look at it. The truck passed all the tests, according to Seney. “We had to jump on it quick,” he said.

The Thompson Advisory Fire Committee, composed of members from all five fire departments, met first to discuss options. The committee brought their concerns to the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and then to the special town meeting. The fire department currently holds loans in excess of $300,000 on two trucks. “We couldn't afford a loan on another truck,” Seney said.

The tower truck with 23,000 miles will be able to reach 90 feet. It is selling for $85,000. A brand new model comparable to it would cost about $900,000 according to Seney. “This truck is pretty much the perfect truck,” Seney said. “It has low mileage, low usage. I don't think we're going to find another truck in that good a condition.”