LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN

WORK SESSION MINUTES

LITTLETON FIRE STATION

JANUARY 31, 2004

Present: Chairman George Hicks, Vice Chairman Burt Ingerson, Secretary, Bill Hight, Town Manager Jason Hoch, Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent, Fire Chief Paul Lopes, and various members of the Littleton Fire Department.

Chairman Hicks opened the work session in the bay area of the fire station to give everyone present the opportunity to look at the ladder truck and its deficiencies. Fire Chief Paul Lopes went over the checklist of the aerial device test report conducted by American La France, pointing out the problems on the truck as he went along. (See copy of checklist attached).

It was noted there are many stage #2 and #3 ratings on various components of the truck which has the potential of becoming stage #1 rating putting the problem at a more urgent level. If the ladder was to be repaired, it would have to be removed from the truck in order for the work to be done. Another option would be to flat bed the truck with ladder to Pennsylvania to have the work done. American La France is the only place where the repair work could be accomplished.

Chief Lopes explained how the ladder works in an emergency situation. He explained that the current ladder takes four people 20-30 minutes to get it into place with hoses. A new ladder device can be handled by one person in approximately five minutes. Jason asked if the old ladder can be adapted to work as the new ladders do and was told that it cannot.

Chief Lopes stated even if the old ladder is rehabilitated, he is still concerned with the overall condition of the truck and the potential of additional major problems with it. It is important to remember the truck is over 25 years old and was not new when obtained by the Town.

In reply to a question by Selectmen Ingerson, it was learned the ladder truck had responded to 39 calls out of a total of 750 calls last year.

There was some discussion regarding a Capital Replacement Fund and getting the Fire Department in a cycle similar to what the Police Department has. Bud Foster noted he is dissatisfied with the Town’s tendency to lease everything. He said voters need to know what the replacement plan is so there are no surprises each year at Town Meeting.

Jason note it would take an additional $50,000 a year to get the Fire Department into a cycle similar to what the Highway Department has.

At this point, the meeting moved upstairs into the fire station.

Selectman Hight asked if the inspectors take into consideration the size of the fire department and the community it serves. Fire Chief Lopes stated they do not. There are a certain set of standards which need to be maintained regardless of the community’s size. It was added that type of structures requiring a ladder truck are changing constantly with the new number of apartments on Main Street and a proposed 4-story hotel going in on the Meadow.

It was noted that the ladder truck was last used two months ago but the standard of reliability is now at stake. Stress to the ladder has caused some of the rusting problems. During inspections a test is done on its ability to hold weight.

There was some discussion on the pros and cons of using a bucket truck.

Jason stated there needs to be a plan ready to present to the voters on Tuesday night. He said there had been a lot of speculation to this point on what it would cost to repair the truck . There is also not enough information right now to decide whether the Town should purchase new or used if they decide to replace the truck. Currently, there has only been $25,000 budgeted for repairs and we know this will not be nearly enough. We need time to get clear information on all of the options we have available. The Town has $56,000 which was to have been an advance payment on the landfill closure. Anticipating the repairs to the ladder truck could run approximately $100,000 the warrant article could be doubled to $50,000 and added to the $56,000 which would give us the money necessary to repair the ladder truck. If the repair turns out not to be an option, the money would be available to rent a truck until a purchase can be made from money raised at next year’s Town Meeting. If it is determined that the repairs to the existing truck are more than $100,000 it may be decided that it is not worth putting that much money into it. From now until election day the Town would need to rely on mutual aide.

Eddy Moore stated he felt this is a good and reasonable plan considering this situation has come about so quickly.

Jason asked if we rent a vehicle, will we be able to get a vehicle which matches the needs of the community and one which will also fit in the garage, as a high-profile vehicle will not fit through the doors. Paul stated this is a good question and will depend on what they have on the fleet available to be leased out.

It was also suggested that a mechanic from American La France might be able to come up to Littleton to work on the truck rather than transport the truck to Pa.

Selectman Ingerson said he is hesitant to put 20% of the cost of a new truck into repairs of the old one.

Jason stated the Town should be ready with a plan in place for the voters to consider. He recalled the Opera House warrant article presented at last year’s Town Meeting which was defeated because it was brought in too much at the last minute which is, he feels, a risky strategy.

Jason cautioned it is important that we do not pit one department’s needs against the other and acknowledged the Police Department’s endeavor to get a bond passed for a new Police Department facility. This is as much of a need as the ladder truck.

Selectman Hight moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:30pm. The motion was seconded by Chairman Hicks and carried 3-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Cheryl Sargent,

Executive Assistant

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Chairman George O. Hicks

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Vice Chairman Burton E. Ingerson

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Secretary William R. Hight