A

BoMA authorized the purchase of a new Fire Truck for approximately $1.2 million in their second monthly meeting.

The new vehicle will replace 27-year-old Engine 703, according to a memo from Fire Chief Kenneth Pearson.

“The Tullahoma Fire Department requested bids to purchase a quint-style fire apparatus to replace Engine 703 which is twenty-seven years old. The new aerial would be deployed at station two and would enhance our coverage of the north end of town. This purchase, if granted, will continue to improve our operation efforts as well as handling future developments within the city,” stated the memo.

The memo included two bids; one from Ferrara ($1,282,977) and one from Pierce ($1,393,779). The low bid, Ferrara, met specifications, according to the memo. The bid from Pierce did not. The memo also stated that the purchase would be funded through the American Rescue Plan.

The specifications, according to the Ferrara quote in the agenda, include a “Ferrara Inferno 77’ HD Quint” with a capacity of “2,000gpm/500 gallons of water.”

Pearson stated in a later interview that the vehicle will take “almost two years” before its manufacture is complete.

City Administrator Jason Quick said that the purchase of the new vehicle was “already in the budget” which authorized the use of $1.2 million. The price did go over that budget by nearly $90,000, but Quick said that the city has $41,000 “in contingency” after a previous purchase for the department, as well as the use of “another two to three thousand we’re going to be taking from another fund.”

“It’s my understanding this purchase will allow us to have pumping and ladder taken care of in one engine versus having to separate that out,” said Quick.

“I don’t think it’s surprising, in the current economy, that the price has gone up,” said Alderman Kurt Glick.

Alderman Jenna Amacher asked if the engine was similar to police vehicles, in that it would have to be outfitted after the upfront price, and Quick requested that Deputy Chief Larry Sloan speak.

He said that it would not have to be outfitted, but they would have the option of moving equipment from the previous engine to the new one.

Alderman Derick Mann made the motion, Alderman Bobbie Wilson seconded. The passing vote was unanimous.