MA City Working to Land FD Much-Needed Aerial

BEVERLY, MA—Beverly's firefighters may soon be getting a much-needed new ladder truck that will aid them in their efforts to keep residents safe.

During a June 9 budget hearing, Fire Chief Paul Cotter made councilors aware of the pressing need for a new apparatus. The city owns two Quint ladder trucks; Truck 1 is 11 years old and Truck 2 is 24 years old.

"Twenty-five [years] is the limit, so that one's ready to be put out of service," he said. "We're hoping to get the new ladder truck as soon as possible."

On June 25, Beverly Fire Local 1669, the labor union representing members of the Beverly Fire Department, announced the city was operating without a ladder truck, as Truck 1 was out for transmission repairs and Truck 2 was undergoing aerial ladder testing.

In a letter to the Beverly City Council, Mayor Michael P. Cahill requested approval of a $1.3 million loan authorization to facilitate the purchase of the new truck.

"Two years ago, we applied for a grant to pay for this new truck and were denied because, even though the older Quint truck was over 20 years old, we were penalized for owning the newer Quint," he explained. "We then made plans to seek a free cash appropriation from the City Council this spring after first having examined our reserve positions when the third quarter ended this past April."

However, the onset of COVID-19 interrupted the process, and the plans were then altered to possibly seek a free cash appropriation upon certification later this calendar year.

"In recognition that we should not ask too much more of our older Quint truck, we come before you tonight in hopes that, with your approval of this loan authorization, we would be able to order the new ladder truck in July, and receive delivery much sooner as a result," Cahill wrote to the councilors.

Cahill explained a ladder truck typically takes about a year to build and deliver, with payment due upon delivery.

"By the time of delivery, we will have certified the June 30, 2020, free cash and will have those funds available to rescind the loan order and pay for the vehicle with free cash reserves," he explained. "This method would allow us to order the truck up to five months sooner and, ultimately, avoid paying any borrowing costs."

The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the loan authorization for a new ladder truck during its meeting on Monday, July 13, at 7:15 p.m.

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