RC Council approves purchase of aerial ladder truck

It took two men from the Rogers City Fire Department to fly down to Richmond, Virginia, but the outcome is a hopeful positive for the community. The Rogers City Council approved the purchase of an aerial ladder fire truck in a 4-1 vote Monday evening, after Fire Chief Tim Luebke reported the truck to be in good working condition. CHIEF LUEBKE and Greg Eldridge traveled to Richmond in order to inspect a 1987 Gruman 50-foot Tele Squirt fire truck that was advertised for sale by West Shore Fire. Luebke first brought the advertised truck to the council?s attention during a previous council meeting. He reported that from the pictures and reports, the vehicle looked to be ?a fairly good truck? up to certification standards.

During that initial request, councilman Gary Nowak expressed concern over the truck?s age, and mentioned a local fireman who was not in approval of the possible purchase. At Monday night?s meeting, Nowak was the only council member to vote against the purchase. According to Luebke?s report, he and Eldridge found the truck?s body to be in ?very good condition.? He said the ?engine starts good and appears to idle smooth.? He mentioned a small oil leak that the seller agreed to fix upon a purchase agreement. Luebke and Eldridge took the truck for a test run, and found the transmission to run smooth.

THE AERIAL ladder was listed in good condition, and Luebke reported that the ladder extends, raises, lowers, and rotates smooth as well. Singer Associates in Virginia surveyed the truck upon request by city manager Mark Slown. The survey report stated the body to be in excellent condition, and the aerial device to operate well. It stated the truck to be ?a very good unit? that would meet the standards of the buyer. City manager Mark Slown said the purchase would allow the RCFD to operate more safely when responding to fires. ?We?ll have a good, new capability in town to help the fire department continue to do its job, and be safer in the process,? said Slown. ?The aerial ladder will allow for strategic, stable positioning above a fire. It?s really going to be a good thing.? Slow said the majority of council agreed the purchase was a good deal based on the price and value of the truck. The total cost of the truck and its equipment is $61,455. A $10,000 grant from PIE & G, as well as a $3,000 grant from NEMCF, will help alleviate the cost.

In other city council news:

? During a recent audit, David Gwizdala of Quast, Janke & Company found a $15,000 debt stemming back to 1987 that the City of Rogers City should be accountable for. City attorney Michael Vogler reported to city counc

il members Monday that in 1981 the city approved a contract with William E. Breakey regarding certain water and sewer utilities purchased from Breakey. Breakey would have had six years from 1987 to file a lawsuit for breach of contract, which was not done. Vogler found the contract to no longer represent a legally enforceable obligation of Rogers City.

? The Rogers City Chamber of Commerce requested permission to use the Westminster Park for the Fall Arts & Crafts Show. The event was approved to be held Saturday, September 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vendors will have the option of setting up on September 14.

? The next city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 22 at 10 a.m. Council meetings are regularly scheduled on the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m., and the third Monday of every month at 10 a.m.