The Otsego County Fire Department is asking for taxpayer money to buy a new truck and equipment. The department is looking to purchase a new fire pumper in order to replace its 1995 model.
To do that, the fire department is asking six municipalities -- Bagley, Chester, Dover, Hayes and Livingston townships and the City of Gaylord -- to put on the November ballot a one-year millage, levying 0.8 mills, needed to finance the new pumper.
The total amount needed is $547,538.96, according to Joe Duff, Gaylord city manager.
The Gaylord City Council voted and unanimously approved the millage amount during its meeting July 25.
"(The millage would go into effect) next year, on the millage for 2017, but we're having the vote (for the millage) now," Duff said. "The fire department comes to us, and we act as a board and determine what's in the best interest of the department. This is always how we financed (fire) equipment, so that everybody can have an opportunity to share in the cost of it."
Aside from being proactive in replacing one of two old fire trucks with old equipment, the fire department is trying to keep its insurance ratings down. Dave Duffield, Otsego County fire chief, said the insurance rating services require the fire department to have a fire truck (pumper) no older than 20 years.
"There's a company that goes around every few years and rates the fire department, the water supplies, dispatch, training, etc. Then they give us a rating from one to 10," Duffield said. "That's how your insurance for your homes and business are calculated. The better (lower) the number, the better for your policy, meaning a lower rate."