Medina authorizes bond for up to $1,990,000 for new ladder truck

Photos by Tom Rivers: The 75-foot ladder on Medina aerial ladder truck is extended during an April 7 fire at a Main Street building in Medina. There were five ladder trucks at the fire with others from Albion, Lockport, Murray and Shelby.

MEDINA – The Village Board took another step towards getting a new ladder truck for the Fire Department on Monday.

The board authorized a bond resolution for up to $1,990,000 towards the cost of a new ladder truck. Board members expect the cost will be less than that maximum bond but wanted some room if the cost are higher than expected.

The board will also be pursuing grants and low-interest financing that should result in a smaller bond.

The village is seeking a new ladder truck with a 100-foot-long ladder. That would replace one from 1996 with a 75-foot ladder. The current truck has many mechanical issues and often needs costly repairs that take it out of service.

Medina hasn’t signed a purchase agreement for the new truck. Fire Chief Matt Jackson said the village can expect to wait about three years for a new truck due to the trucks being on back order and with supply chain issues.

The village also is looking to put an addition on the fire hall to accommodate the larger vehicle. The current fire hall only has 2 inches of clearance in the truck bays.

The addition to the fire hall that would be approximately 62 feet, 8 inches by 88 feet, 8 inches. That expansion, plus repairs to the existing fire hall, would be about $4.5 million, according to a report from the Barton & Loguidice firm.

The ladder trucks from Medina, left, and Murray were in service for several hours during the big fire in Medina on April 7. Medina’s truck is 27 years old.