GORHAM – An out-of-service squad truck is complicating work for the Gorham Fire and Rescue Department, which is now relying on neighborhing communities for help.
Recently, when Gorham rescue workers had to extricate someone from a pickup truck, it took 20 minutes for assistance to arrive from another municipality.
“We depend on mutual aid,” said Gorham Fire Chief Robert Lefebvre.
On Tuesday, voters will decide whether the town should spend up to $450,000 to replace the quarter-century-old fire truck. It is one of three local questions on the ballot, which also includes a school budget authorization vote.
Lefebvre said last week the squad truck, which was utilized to transport the department’s jaws-of-life extrication equipment, has been inoperative since January. Some of its life-saving equipment is now hauled to emergency calls in a pickup truck.
The squad truck has been sidelined because of overheating and pushing antifreeze from the radiator. Mechanic consultants believe the truck has a hole in an engine cylinder wall. Lefebvre said it would cost $25,000 to replace the engine and radiator of the truck. The estimated value of the present truck is $13,000.
The out-of-service truck also carried equipment to refill firefighters’ air bottles. The truck, which was used at accidents, fires and hazardous material incidents, had been the most heavily utilized in the department’s fleet, Lefebvre said
A new squad truck would cost $327,650, and be outfitted with $115,000 in new equipment including a light tower and upgraded parts for the jaws-of-life.
Gorham Fire Department accepted delivery of its present squad truck in 1986.
“It served the town well over the years,” said Lefebvre.
Lefebvre said the truck has had electrical issues in the past. The body has rust and door latches need to be rebuilt, Lefebvre said.
If Gorham borrowed $450,000, it would pay $175,675 in interest in 15 years and debt payment would raise the tax rate by 4 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
Voters also are being asked to borrow $3 million to repair some local roads. Interest of $1.1 million would bring the cost up to $4.1 million over 15 years.
In an advisory referendum, the Town Council is asking voters whether they would approve a $1 surcharge on the tax rate with the money earmarked to make capital improvements for roads, buildings and public safety needs. Even if voters say yes, the proposal would still requite Town Council approval.
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