Woolwich voters will consider a new fire pumper truck at next month’s annual town meeting.  On Monday night, selectmen unanimously agreed to put it on the warrant.

Fire Chief Mike Demers has estimated the cost at $356,000 and has suggested a 10-year lease purchase agreement. Demers, on vacation, was not at the board meeting. Chairman David King Sr. said the financing and wording of the article was still to be determined. “We’d shop around in order to get the best interest rate and financing we could along with the best price for the fire truck,” he said.

Demers’ written proposal states the department’s Engine 3, a pumper fire truck, is a 1998 Freightliner model that serves as the primary emergency vehicle. Because it’s nearly 20 years old, the department recommends buying a new one and placing Engine 3 at the North Station off Chopp’s Cross Road.

To help pay for the new truck, the department proposes sell a 32-year-old diesel GMC tanker truck, Tank 1. It’s in storage at the North Station and seldom used.

“Tank 1 is a water hauling truck and is not for handling structure fires or other emergencies,” Demers writes. “It only has a small fire pump and carries very little equipment.  Another downfall is (it has) an older style standard transmission and most members are unable to drive it.”

A new, Commercial Class A fire truck would meet all of today’s standards, continues Demers.  “This pumper will have the latest in firefighting technology and safety features that will benefit both the members of the department and the citizens.” He adds, moving Engine 3 to the North Station will “greatly increase” firefighting capabilities in the north end of Woolwich. “We would now have a fully equipped pumper able to handle structure fires and other emergencies instead of a truck that just carries water.”

The proposal also includes selling a 2001 utility pickup truck used primarily to carry emergency gear. The new truck has more storage capacity, eliminating the need for the pickup.

If approved by voters, this will be the town’s first fire truck purchase since 2008. Town meeting is 9 a.m., Saturday, April 29, at Woolwich Central School.