By Joseph Edgerton
Staff Writer

The Allenstown Fire Department is trying to replace this 1976 American LaFrance fire truck with a 2004 truck. (Joseph Edgerton Photo)

A disagreement between the Allenstown Fire Department and a resident may change the look of this year's town warrant.

Former selectman and firefighter Art Houle said the fire department is attempting to obtain two firetrucks by replacing one.

"At the budget meeting, I asked why they were replacing the 1976 American LaFrance truck again, because we already replaced it with a 2004 truck," Houle said. "The deputy chief said the 1964 truck was replaced by the 2004 truck, but the 1976 truck was actually replaced last time."

Houle, a member of the Allenstown Fire Truck Committee, said replacing the same truck twice is unethical, and that an additional fire truck would be too much equipment for the station.

"On the 1976 truck, the front suspension fell out on the way back from a call, and they lost the radiator soon after," he said. "They're dumping money into it, and it isn't worth it. They hardly use the truck at all."

Article 8 on this year's town warrant asks the voters to authorize selectmen to enter into a five-year lease/purchase agreement for $320,000 to purchase a new fire truck. If approved, $70,138 would be raised and appropriated as payment for the first year.

Houle has submitted a warrant article of his own. If Article 21 passes, the town will sell the 1976 American LaFrance truck at the spring or fall auction.

As proposed, Houle's article reads that the 2004 E One pumper fire truck replaced the 1976 model, but fire officials say this is not the case.

"Houle appears to be a wealth of misinformation," said Fire Chief Everett Chaput III. "He was the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen when the new truck came in. It was not purchased to replace the 1976 truck."

Chaput said the petition is inaccurate and misleading, and that the 2004 E One replaced a 1974 truck.

"We did exactly what we said we would, and it's no surprise that we still have the 1976 truck," he said. "The 1974 LaFrance was in service up to four or five years ago. I just don't understand what he's trying to achieve. Art was the only one who voted in favor of replacing the 1981 and 1976 trucks."

In the discussion following Article 12 of the 2003 Town Report, which calls on the town to raise $320,000 for the purchase of a new truck, it is written, "Active Chief Martin stated that this piece of equipment was an addition to the present fleet."

Further, Chaput said avoiding the purchase of a new fire truck, which the fire department has requested for the last three years, will only cost the town more money in the long run.

"The reality is that trucks don't get any cheaper. There is a minimum increase of 5 percent each year in cost," he said. "New trucks have to meet new emission standards, and the 2007 standards will add $20,000 to $30,000 per vehicle cost. A $320,000 truck will be $340,000 to $350,000, or $357,000 to $367,000 to buy in 2007."

A good deal or not?
Houle has submitted another petitioned warrant article. Article 21 would change the use of the fire department's capital reserve fund to a majority vote by voters at an annual or special Town Meeting.

He said the article was inspired by the department's purchase of a used 1991 E One ladder truck this past spring.

"Unfortunately they didn't get the FEMA grant to get the truck, but they convinced the board of selectmen to get the truck anyway," said Houle. "It should have gone to a town vote. The board had the right to approve the purchase, but it really should have been up to the voters to make the decision."

At the time of the truck's purchase, Chaput said, "We got the engine for $39,000. That's a steal when you consider that a brand new ladder truck runs nearly $480,000."

New stove needed?
Also of concern to Houle is the fire department's proposed purchase of a new cooking stove for the station.

"A few years ago, they spent $2,000 to $3,000 for a new refrigerator that sits there burning electricity with nothing in it," he said. "Now they've put in for $3,600 to purchase a commercial range, and they've split up the money between three budgets."

The three budgets Houle referred to are the fire department, the forestry department and the emergency management department, Chaput said.

"We're not hiding anything. We have budgeted $2,400 between the three departments, because that's who's going to use it," he said. "We are a commercial operation; the station is an emergency operations center, and we need to be able to provide food for 30, 40, 50 people."

Both Houle and Chaput said the public should attend the deliberative session of Town Meeting on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m., at the Allenstown Elementary School.