More than a year after the Jerome Township Trustees first heard a request from their fire chief to purchase an aerial ladder truck, they will do so.
The board voted unanimously during their most recent meeting to approve the purchase of an aerial ladder truck from Sutphen.
The truck will cost $1,959,930, although Fiscal Officer Robert Caldwell explained that, because the truck will take between 18 and 24 months to manufacture, the township will earn $220,688.12 in interest on that amount during that time, so he considers the final cost $1,739,241.88.
Township Administrator Brandon Standley said he researched options from “two quality vendors,” Sutphen and Pierce Manufacturing, and “was quite impressed with both vehicles.”
He said he supports the purchase of an aerial ladder truck, as the township is continuing to grow and “there’s a need for that now.”
While all members voted in favor of the purchase, during roll call, Trustee Barry Adler paused before saying, “with reservations, yes.”
His reservations were not related to the need for the equipment but which manufacturer from which it would be purchased.
“If given the choice between two vehicles, I would have to go with the recommendation of the fire chief with 30 years of experience,” Adler said.
In July and August 2022, the trustees tabled a presentation from Jerome Township Division of Fire Chief which detailed the need for an aerial ladder truck as well as a recommendation to purchase the equipment from Pierce Manufacturing.
The Journal-Tribune obtained the presentation at that time, before Stewart was permitted by the trustees to publicly share his recommendation in September 2022.
At the time, Stewart said his recommendation was made based on information provided by both manufacturers in response to a 57-question questionnaire detailing safety, operability and access to maintenance.
However, in October of that year, the trustees directed Stewart to seek quotes only from Sutphen.
In December 2022, though, Davis and Trustee Megan Sloat said they did not yet feel comfortable purchasing an aerial ladder truck, despite pushback from Adler, who advocated for the purchase from Pierce.
During their most recent meeting, Sloat said she recognized the need for a ladder truck but was not ready to purchase the equipment earlier “because I was not entirely comfortable.”
She said she has since seen trucks from both manufacturers in person and been assured by Fiscal Officer Robert Caldwell that he is also comfortable with making the purchase.
In December 2022, Caldwell said a 10-year forecast allowed the township to make the purchase, causing an operating shortfall in 2023 that would be resolved by 2024.
Adler said that he is disappointed the trustees delayed the purchase because the pricing has since increased by approximately $400,000, from $1.6 million to $2 million.
Information from Caldwell indicates that, at this time, the two manufacturers will offer the aerial ladder truck for nearly identical prices: Pierce’s quote was $70 higher at $1,960,000.
Caldwell said approximately $525,000 would be covered by fiscal recovery funding from the COVID-19 pandemic that must be spent by 2024, with the rest covered by Jerome Village. The developers of Jerome Village committed $6.5 million to the construction of and equipment for JTFD Station 211.
Davis said she spent the past year “studying” and now feels “confident” in how the purchase will be funded. She said she wanted to ensure that taxpayer dollars would not go toward the ladder truck.
Standley recommended approving the purchase that night, as he acknowledged that the pricing would continue to increase.
Sloat said she also was ready to move forward with a purchase and feels both manufacturers “are highly, highly committed to quality and safety.”
Adler agreed, adding that, in reviewing both vehicles, he saw advantages to both.
“In my mind, both vehicles are seen as most acceptable,” Adler said.
However, Adler emphasized that delivery of the Pierce truck would have a six-month turnaround of a stock unit compared to the 18 to 24-month turnaround of Sutphen.
He acknowledged previous comments from Davis advocating for the township to support Sutphen as a local company, and said he agrees that there is value in doing so.
Still, given the quality of both options, he said he feels he needs to abide by the chief’s expert opinion.
But, Adler said he would still prefer to go with the Sutphen over nothing at all.
Standley said he sees the purchase as “at least” a 20-year investment that will serve the township as development continues to occur, especially through decreasing insurance costs.
He also noted that JTFD will be able to extend mutual aid rather than relying on other departments, making it a “strategic partner” and helping fortify relationships with neighboring areas.