“No, get it!”
Those were the first words out of Enniskillen Township Councillor Mary Lynne McCallum, when Enniskillen Administrator-Clerk Duncan McTavish asked if there were any questions of Petrolia and North Enniskillen Fire Chief Rick Cousins on May 6 about the proposed tanker truck that had been put forward as the next addition to the department’s fleet of trucks.
The quick approval of the tanker was in sharp contrast to last August, when the township put the brakes on the purchase of a $1.47 million pumper/tanker truck for the Petrolia and North Enniskillen Fire Department.
Monday, McTavish said the management committee of the fire department recommended purchasing a tanker truck from Fort Garry Fire Trucks of Winnipeg at a cost of $658,525 plus HST. The other bidder, EOne, an American supplier, had an estimated price of $788,500, but couldn’t firmly establish a price due to shifting currency values and the potential change in the price of the fire truck,
Both vehicles being considered have the same freightliner cab and chassis and a 3,000 US gallon water tank.
“It is a good truck,” said Cousins. “It is exactly what we need.”
Enniskillen Township Council turned down the last recommendation from the management committee which recommended replacing two aging trucks, the tanker and pumper, with one unit. The hybrid unit had a much higher price tag, although the chief at the time said it would be less expensive in the long run instead of purchasing the two vehicles. Enniskillen turned the purchase down, even though its financial partners in the department – The Town of Petrolia – approved it a week before.
Councillor Wally Van Dun said the key to Monday’s speedy approval was the fire department has a price on what it needs and not what it wants. Van Dun urged the fire department to order the truck
Council approved the purchase. The same proposal will going before Petrolia council on May 13. Both municipalities need to approve the purchase before it takes place. Enniskillen will pay 40 per cent of the cost, with Petrolia picking up the other 60 per cent. Delivery is expected in the next 18 months if Petrolia approves the new tanker as well.