new $750,000 Meredith fire truck

SIKSUKR · 11-16-2009, 11:10 AM

This reminds me of the kid that won't quit poking you in the same spot.

jmen24 · 11-16-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

This reminds me of the kid that won't quit poking you in the same spot.

LMAO, one of the funniest posts I have read in a long time.

FLL, why not run for an elected position, I'd say Treasurer, then you control the check book AND you can still complain about the things they want to do with taxpayer money.

ITD · 11-16-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmen24

LMAO, one of the funniest posts I have read in a long time.

FLL, why not run for an elected position, I'd say Treasurer, then you control the check book AND you can still complain about the things they want to do with taxpayer money.

Oh boy, careful what you ask for, FLL would have you all paying a fat income tax if it were up to him. Forget politics, keep posting here Less.

Yosemite Sam · 11-16-2009, 04:54 PM

It took 11 years of planning and saving to get this new piece of fire equipment for Meredith. Below are minutes of a 10/06/08 Board Of Selectmen meeting that talks about the purchase:

Since 1998, funds have been set aside in an ETF for the financing of fire equipment. In order to
meet the demands of a growing Town, the Fire Department is seeking to authorize the use of
existing funds in the ETF to purchase an aerial ladder truck. Fire Chief Ken Jones explained
how the decision was made to purchase a Pierce 100’ aerial ladder. The Department spoke with
different manufacturers and viewed apparatus at the New England fire chief’s annual meeting in
Springfield, Massachusetts. The Pierce model includes a bucket that provides for more safety
than a traditional ladder. It is anticipated that the truck will serve the Town for 25-30 years. If
the Town authorizes a payment of $727,000 within 10 days of the signing of the contract, it will
save roughly $40,000 on the total cost of the truck. This represents a greater savings than what
would be realized if the funds remain in an interest bearing account for the ten months it will
take to build the truck. The balance is due upon delivery of the truck. A performance bond
guaranty will be issued to the Town for the $727,000 payment.

Dialogue ensued regarding purchasing a demo model at a lower price. Upon investigation, the
Department learned that it would be more costly to purchase a demo model because they include
many extra features that the Town does not need.
The Board agreed that setting funds aside in an ETF for the purchase of the equipment has
worked extremely well for the Town. The Chair directed Co-Interim Town Manager Brenda
Vittner to investigate what bank the irrevocable letter of credit will be drawn on.
Selectman Palm moved that the Board authorize the expenditure of $760,897 from the ETF, and
signing of the bid proposal by Administrative Services after their review, and obtain a completed
performance guarantee from Pierce and their bank. Seconded by Selectman Worsman.
Resident Dave Sticht understood that a demo truck was going to be built to the Town’s
specifications, and the Town would purchase it at a reduced cost. Selectman Palm told Mr.
Sticht that upon further investigation, the Company was not interested in that option.
Resident Keith True commended Selectman Palm and the current Chief for saving the Town
money on the purchase. The purchase of a replacement truck was a dream ten years ago, and is
now a reality.

4 for Boating · 11-16-2009, 09:39 PM

Interesting. At least it looks like someone had the foresight to see a new truck was needed. Does it say how much the town saved over the period of time for the truck?

Having said that, I can completely understand planning to get a fire truck when needed. However, is it not a matter of if the town really needs it, then maybe something else needs to go unfunded? (Maybe something that is not tied to public safety?)

As this has peaked my interest in terms of town spending, I tried to look up some history for Meredith concerning capital purchases and found the below from the 2008 town report. Not always sure if I’m interpreting these things correctly but if you look at the spending trend (not including any 2009 purchases such as the Fire Truck), it appears that:

For a 7 year period from 1998-2004 Capital Purchases/Debt were ~ $7.6M
For a 4 year period from 2005-2008 Capital Purchases/Debt were ~ $8.9M

That’s a 15% increase from past history in almost half as many years.

1988 Cotton Hill Sewer Bond $603,200
1989 Library Expansion Bond $750,000
1988 Water System Improvement Bond $2,000,000
1994 Cataldo Road Sewer Bond $229,000
1998 Westbury Road Sewer Bond $55,000
1998 Wagon Wheel Sewer Bond $211,874
1999 Pleasant Street Bond $1,400,000
2001 Neal Shore Sewer Bond $200,000
2002 Plymouth St/Rte 3 North Bond $948,770
2002 Plymouth St/Rte 3 North Bond $637,467
2004 Conservation Bond $500,000
2004 East Bluff Village Sewer Bond $115,381
2005 Community Center Bond $3,500,000
2007 Police Station Bond $1,500,000
2007 Bundled Water/Sewer/Roads $1,220,000
2008 Fire Station Bond $2,292,882
2008 Page Pond Conservation $400,000

twoplustwo · 11-22-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

This reminds me of the kid that won't quit poking you in the same spot.

Uf da. Make it stop.

SIKSUKR · 11-23-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

This reminds me of the kid that won't quit poking you in the same spot.

This reminds me of the kid that won't quit poking you in the same spot.
This reminds me of the kid that won't quit poking you in the same spot.
This reminds me of the kid that won't quit poking you in the same spot.
This reminds me of the kid that won't quit poking you in the same spot.
This reminds me of the kid that won't quit poking you in the same spot.
This reminds me of the kid that won't quit poking you in the same spot.
Boy that spot is sore.

ITD · 11-23-2009, 03:54 PM

Oh Less is just stirring it up again.

Anyone who knows of a truck driving job for Less, please PM it to him, he needs something else to do with his time.

gtagrip · 11-23-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITD

Oh Less is just stirring it up again.

Anyone who knows of a truck driving job for Less, please PM it to him, he needs something else to do with his time.

Just remember, push ups are probably not a job requirement.

11-16-2009, 11:10 AM	#1
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	This reminds me of the kid that won't quit poking you in the same spot. __________________ SIKSUKR

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11-16-2009, 04:54 PM	#4
Yosemite Sam Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 395 Thanks: 81 Thanked 95 Times in 56 Posts	It took 11 years of planning and saving to get this new piece of fire equipment for Meredith. Below are minutes of a 10/06/08 Board Of Selectmen meeting that talks about the purchase: Since 1998, funds have been set aside in an ETF for the financing of fire equipment. In order to meet the demands of a growing Town, the Fire Department is seeking to authorize the use of existing funds in the ETF to purchase an aerial ladder truck. Fire Chief Ken Jones explained how the decision was made to purchase a Pierce 100’ aerial ladder. The Department spoke with different manufacturers and viewed apparatus at the New England fire chief’s annual meeting in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Pierce model includes a bucket that provides for more safety than a traditional ladder. It is anticipated that the truck will serve the Town for 25-30 years. If the Town authorizes a payment of $727,000 within 10 days of the signing of the contract, it will save roughly $40,000 on the total cost of the truck. This represents a greater savings than what would be realized if the funds remain in an interest bearing account for the ten months it will take to build the truck. The balance is due upon delivery of the truck. A performance bond guaranty will be issued to the Town for the $727,000 payment. Dialogue ensued regarding purchasing a demo model at a lower price. Upon investigation, the Department learned that it would be more costly to purchase a demo model because they include many extra features that the Town does not need. The Board agreed that setting funds aside in an ETF for the purchase of the equipment has worked extremely well for the Town. The Chair directed Co-Interim Town Manager Brenda Vittner to investigate what bank the irrevocable letter of credit will be drawn on. Selectman Palm moved that the Board authorize the expenditure of $760,897 from the ETF, and signing of the bid proposal by Administrative Services after their review, and obtain a completed performance guarantee from Pierce and their bank. Seconded by Selectman Worsman. Resident Dave Sticht understood that a demo truck was going to be built to the Town’s specifications, and the Town would purchase it at a reduced cost. Selectman Palm told Mr. Sticht that upon further investigation, the Company was not interested in that option. Resident Keith True commended Selectman Palm and the current Chief for saving the Town money on the purchase. The purchase of a replacement truck was a dream ten years ago, and is now a reality.

11-16-2009, 09:39 PM	#5
4 for Boating Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 241 Thanks: 1 Thanked 41 Times in 28 Posts	Interesting. At least it looks like someone had the foresight to see a new truck was needed. Does it say how much the town saved over the period of time for the truck? Having said that, I can completely understand planning to get a fire truck when needed. However, is it not a matter of if the town really needs it, then maybe something else needs to go unfunded? (Maybe something that is not tied to public safety?) As this has peaked my interest in terms of town spending, I tried to look up some history for Meredith concerning capital purchases and found the below from the 2008 town report. Not always sure if I’m interpreting these things correctly but if you look at the spending trend (not including any 2009 purchases such as the Fire Truck), it appears that: For a 7 year period from 1998-2004 Capital Purchases/Debt were ~ $7.6M For a 4 year period from 2005-2008 Capital Purchases/Debt were ~ $8.9M That’s a 15% increase from past history in almost half as many years. 1988 Cotton Hill Sewer Bond $603,200 1989 Library Expansion Bond $750,000 1988 Water System Improvement Bond $2,000,000 1994 Cataldo Road Sewer Bond $229,000 1998 Westbury Road Sewer Bond $55,000 1998 Wagon Wheel Sewer Bond $211,874 1999 Pleasant Street Bond $1,400,000 2001 Neal Shore Sewer Bond $200,000 2002 Plymouth St/Rte 3 North Bond $948,770 2002 Plymouth St/Rte 3 North Bond $637,467 2004 Conservation Bond $500,000 2004 East Bluff Village Sewer Bond $115,381 2005 Community Center Bond $3,500,000 2007 Police Station Bond $1,500,000 2007 Bundled Water/Sewer/Roads $1,220,000 2008 Fire Station Bond $2,292,882 2008 Page Pond Conservation $400,000

11-23-2009, 03:54 PM	#8
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,953 Thanks: 484 Thanked 703 Times in 393 Posts	Oh Less is just stirring it up again. Anyone who knows of a truck driving job for Less, please PM it to him, he needs something else to do with his time.