The Stanley City Council voted at its August 7 council meeting to approve the purchase of a replacement for Tender 2 for the Stanley Volunteer Fire Department. Tender 2 failed inspection earlier this year leaving the fire department with only Tender 1.

As to the tender that failed inspection, the 36-year-old GMC had no working heat making winter fire calls tough and cold.

The newly purchased Tender 2 is a 2005 Freightliner from Midway Steel in Withee, Wisconsin, that will house the 3,500-water tank from the former tender. New LED lights will be installed along with decals from Syndi’s Decals of Stanley.

Council members gave their thoughts on the matter.

Mark Fitzsimmons asked Fire Chief Hagenson when the truck last had a DOT inspection. Hagenson said, “The DOT expired right around the beginning of the year.” He added that it has brand new brakes and brand-new tires.

Fitzsimmons expressed concern that there needs to be a DOT done before they purchase it to make sure that it doesn’t need a large number of repairs.

Hagenson said that there wouldn’t be time for it as the seller needed an answer regarding its purchase by the end of the meeting but that some members of the fire department had driven it and it needed some minor repairs, including new lights.

Josh Seidl remarked that this particular engine is not sought after in the diesel world. “I just don’t want you to buy something that’s going to come back to bite you,” he said.

Hagenson remarked that since the truck is local, there wouldn’t be a cost for shipping. Originally, the department was looking for a pumper tender but due to budgeting costs, they couldn’t find anything in the right price range.

The Council recommended looking into having the older truck repaired for more selling value. Hagenson agreed to check into it as he reminded the council that there was no working heat in the old tender and any firefighter who drove the truck on calls in the winter would freeze.

Mike Henke asked, “So, what’s the plan to pay for this truck?”

Hagenson mentioned they would use any money from the sale of the old truck and that since this truck had a cheaper cost, it could get paid off quicker.

Council members inquired into how the department charges city residents versus townships, like Colburn and Wilson, for billable hours so that the Fire Department can start to have more revenue in their budget.

Fitzsimmons expressed his desire for the fire department to have a base contract for townships so that everybody will pay for their portion. He added that the fire department needs a fair and equitable service agreement with the townships that they service for fire and emergency calls so the townships that don’t pay can begin to pay their fair share and it doesn’t fall to Stanley residents.

As the Council questioned how much another tender was needed, Hagenson said, “It’s gone to a pile of mutual aid” and added that then the other fire departments return the favor when Stanley needs it.

Firefighters expressed their concern of not having a truck that works when there is an emergency.

Henke remarked, “I have a hard time justifying a tender that is used twice a year.”

Hagenson asked what would happen if another tornado went through and took out the hydrants so the city would have no water. He said, “I’m not looking at today. I’m looking at tomorrow. We had a tornado. We could have anything come through and knock out the main water plant and knock out all the hydrants.” He reminded the council of when the feed mill in Boyd burned and how much water it required.

“I say it’s needed we just have to find a way to pay for it,” Jason Meyer stated. “If we can’t pay for it, obviously we can’t purchase it.”

The Council again recommended getting Fire Department service contracts with the Wilson and Colburn townships so that the townships can pay their fair share.

Laurie Foster expressed her frustration that the Fire Department keeps getting pushed back, in regard to purchasing a tender truck. Speaking about the current truck for sale, she said, “I don’t know if you are going to find anything cheaper than that.”

Siedl reiterated his concerns over the engine, “I’d shy away from that one.”

Hagenson said when he called Freightliner, “he said he’s never had issues with it.”

 After Henke looked through the Fire Department’s budget, including donations and revenue, he motioned to purchase the tender for $28,500.00 and it was quickly passed.