For quite some time now, Auburn fire chief Jeff Gregory has been telling city leaders that they needed a new fire truck. After much consideration, the Auburn City Council recently voted to purchase a new used vehicle.

“I’m happy we’re getting something,” Gregory said. “I know it will be good for the community.”

The truck the city currently has is almost 20 years old, and while it still works well, its age is becoming a liability. If a city’s main truck is 20 years old or older, that can reflect negatively on ratings which can then mean higher insurance rates for residents.

The council agreed that a new truck was needed. At the September meeting they looked at a specific truck and agreed to send four people to examine it and make a recommendation on whether or not to purchase it.

Gregory and three others traveled Pennsylvania to look at the 1999 truck that was listed for $90,000. Gregory had said they would prefer a new truck which would cost around $200,000, but would be happy with a used one if that is what the city felt it could afford.

After examining the truck, Gregory and the others believed it would be a good purchase for the city. They price was negotiated to $85,000 and the city council voted unanimously to purchase the truck. Mayor Dewey Roche said he was pleased with the way things worked out.

“I appreciate the fire people going up there and negotiating a good price and getting a good truck for us,” Roche said.

Roche said the council all agreed that they would love to purchase a brand new truck, but “with times like they are, a good used one is good.”

The truck should be in town in around two to three weeks and Roche said they will outfit it with all new hoses and fittings when it arrives.

“We’ll give it another good check,” Gregory added. And we’ll buy everything that will make it a class A pumper. I believe it will serve us well.”