Edgecomb to buy fire truck from western New York

Sat, 06/08/2019 - 7:00am

Acting quickly to replace Engine #3, Edgecomb Fire Chief Roy Potter informed selectmen June 3 that a 1991 KME Renegade pumper was for sale in Scio, New York, a town of about 1,800, south of Buffalo.  

Potter told officials the truck in New York has 20,000 miles on it and underwent a $75,000 renovation in 2014. The asking price is $25,000, but Potter felt the department would be able to get it for $15,000. The truck is still being used by the Scio Fire Department. “It’s in phenomenal condition,” Potter said.

Potter sought approval from the selectmen to move quickly. The truck would be shipped, rather than driven, from New York to make sure no repairs were needed along the way, he explained. The truck will be delivered to Lance’s Auto and Truck Repair in Monmouth for inspection before being put into service with Edgecomb. Potter expected to have the truck shipped from New York within the next two weeks.

Potter said it has an aluminum body and little surface rust. He said the department would have it fluid-filmed every fall to prolong the truck’s life. Selectmen approved buying and shipping the truck and approved other costs, for a projected $21,500.

The subject then turned to disposing of Engine #3 and Engine #4. A warrant article at town meeting granted selectmen the right to sell town-owned personal property with a value of up to $1,500. The trucks’ values were not known and discussion was tabled.

Officials voted to place the Lallis property for sale with a realtor under a six-month contract. The 3.3-acre house lot on McKay Road had been open for bids for months. The town established the minimum bid at $27,500; no bids were received.   

Selectman Jack Sarmanian said Ernie Martin of Maine Department of Transportation will attend the board’s June 24 meeting to provide an update on the Routes 1/27 project. Sarmanian expects the project to begin in 2020.

Sarmanian also said the $2,000 ASK grant funds from Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission should arrive the week of June 10. Design of the town’s brochure will begin after that.

The board’s next meetings are at 6 p.m. June 17 and 24 and July 1 at the town office.