A proposal to replace the vehicle driven by Carleton Place Fire Chief Pascal Meunier two years ahead of schedule has been doused by council.
During the policy review meeting on Oct. 30, a motion to approve the purchase of a new vehicle at a cost not exceeding $50,000, with the expense unfunded in 2018 but included in the fire department’s 2019 capital budget, was defeated by a 3-4 recorded vote. Mayor Louis Antonakos and councillors Doug Black and Ross Trimble were in favour. The nays: Deputy Mayor Jerry Flynn and councillors Brian Doucett, Theresa Fritz and Sean Redmond.
The reasoning behind the early request — made by Meunier and supported by staff — was related to the current condition of the vehicle driven by the town’s bylaw officers.
“It is 10 years old, and it needs $3,500 in repairs in order to be acceptable to drive,” Meunier noted.
The vehicle, which is to be replaced in 2019, has already cost the town more than $4,000 in repairs — just in the past year.
“We have been borrowing a truck from the parks and recreation department, but we only have until Nov. 30,” Meunier reminded.
No other vehicles are available past this date.
“Renting a car is approximately $2,000 a month,” the fire chief stated.
The vehicle driven by Meunier is also 10 years old, and it is in the municipality’s long-term vehicle plan to be replaced in 2020.
Staff and Meunier suggested the purchase of a new vehicle for the fire chief, with Meunier’s current ride being used by the bylaw officers until 2020. It is in good running condition at this time and would be suitable. Too, it would only be used within town limits, resulting in minimal additional mileage.
According to Meunier, purchasing the new vehicle a few months early, the higher mileage is put on in the first five years, which is when it is under warranty. Therefore, maintenance costs are kept to a minimum.
“I would be downgrading one size to what I am driving right now,” Meunier said.
“A couple of weeks ago we approved an unfunded purchase for the fire department,” Redmond noted. “Now, we are being asked to do it again.”
In September, council approved the purchase of new helmets for firefighters. Even though the $10,000 expense would remain unfunded at the end of the fiscal year, it would be included in the town’s capital budget for 2019.
Helmets have a 10-year shelf life from the date of manufacture, and the department’s helmets were just shy of this, expiring in early 2019. By making the early purchase, the town would save 25 per cent.
“I do not think we should make this commitment (for a new vehicle),” Redmond said on Oct. 30. “We should leave this decision to the incoming council.”
The 130th council of the Town of Carleton Place will take the declaration of office on Dec. 4.
“I think staff has made a very good case to go ahead with this purchase,” Antonakos countered.
“I was around when the (chief’s) vehicle was purchased,” he added. “It has been well taken care of, and there is a use proposed for it.”
Fritz sided with Redmond, even though she had no issue with the request or need.
With the town’s 2019 budget deliberations beginning at the end of the month or in early December, “I do not see why this should not be a part of those talks,” she said.
Fritz was not comfortable approving another unfunded expenditure at this time.
Flynn concurred.
Again, Antonakos stressed the “strong business case put forward by staff.”
He also considered the replacement of the fire chief’s vehicle a health and safety issue. The department requires a reliable fleet of vehicles.
“This is why we have a program for our fire trucks ... I do not see why we would not allow this,” Antonakos said.
The $50,000 cost, which includes HST, includes the necessary radio and light package.
Link to original article in InsideOttawaValley.com: Carleton Place council puts the brakes on new vehicle for fire chief