The Merrimac (MA) fire chief says he has found a deal where he can get a pumper and an aerial for $149,000 more than the cost of the aerial alone and he’s looking for voter approval to make the purchase, according to a report published by the Newburyport Daily News.

The newspaper reported that Merrimac voters approved the purchase of one combined aerial and pumper for $1.2 million at town meeting this past spring and the fire chief found a deal that he said will save the taxpayers about $700,000.

For an additional $149,000, the chief claims that he can buy two trucks, a pumper and an aerial, as a package deal and he needs the voters to approve the additional money to save more, the newspaper reported.

The funds are already in a stabilization fund, so no additional money would have to be raised, but the voters do need approve the additional expense, the newspaper reported.

The fire chief said Merrimac will be able to replace two vehicles for about the price of one, the paper said, noting the special town meeting will be held on Monday, Oct. 18 to gain voter approval for the proposal.

In the coming weeks, Bradley (IL) is set to begin construction for what will be the village’s second fire station, reports Daily Journal.

The project comprises a 3,500-square-foot addition to the property at 1690 Newtowne Rd., and the existing 4,200-square-foot former chamber building will be undergoing extensive renovations, the report says.

The village board approved a resolution awarding a $195,651 contract to Hamann Wagner Excavating of Chebanse and $52,214 to Kevin Nugent Construction, Inc., of Bourbonnais, for the foundation, the report says. The excavating and foundation work is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Jameson Sheet Metal, Inc., of Plainfield, was expected to receive a $177,500 contract for the project’s heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system, but officials say that the bid needs tweaking.

The project was set to begin this summer, but, as Fire Apparatus reported in July, rising costs caused delayed. Officials expect everything to be completed by late 2022.

Last Wednesday afternoon, Cambridge (MA) Fire Department’s new apparatus was placed into service.

Ladder 2’s truck is a 2021 Pierce Ascendant 100-foot tower ladder, Velocity Cab, with idle-reduction technology, and TAK3 rear steering, the department said.

Ladder Company No. 2 placed their new truck in service today, 6 Oct 2021, at 430 pm. The truck is a 2021 Pierce Ascendant 100' Tower Ladder, Velocity cab, with energy saving IRT (Idle Reduction Technology) & TAK3 rear steering.
Group 3 is on duty. pic.twitter.com/DQEvjuwq7R

— Cambridge Fire Dept. (@CambridgeMAFire) October 6, 2021

Seagrave—Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Lexington, KY, 95-foot Aerialscope. Capitol stainless steel tilting cab and chassis; Cummins X12 500-hp engine; Harrison 8-kW generator. Dealer: Dennis Downes, Fire & Specialty Equipment Company, Shepherdsville, KY.

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The Almira Elementary and Middle School was destroyed Tuesday after a fire started inside the building around 4:30 p.m. According to Lincoln County Sheriff Wade Magers, no one was inside the school when the fire started. Classes and after school activities were cancelled on Tuesday due to a power outage.
- PUB DATE: 10/13/2021 1:09:40 AM - SOURCE: KREM-TV CBS 2 Spokane