Ariel Testing News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

WATERTOWN — City Fire Department officials are frustrated about the nation’s supply chain issues delaying three fire trucks getting on the road.

WATERTOWN — After putting off the purchase for a number of years, the City Council on Monday agreed to buy a new fire truck when they unanimously approved a $1.4 million bond for its purchase. Fire department officials have been talking about purchasing a new ladder truck for about five years because of skyrocketing costs to repair the department’s two aerial trucks, but budget constraints have prevented it from happening. The new ladder truck — made by KME with a mid-mounted ladder — will replace an E-One aerial that has been in operation since 1986. The 2004 Pierce ladde...

WATERTOWN — The city is forgoing a traditional bidding process to procure a $1.4 million new ladder truck for the fire department. Instead of seeking multiple bids to weigh them against each other, the city is using a purchasing co-op to buy the next aerial truck. City Manager Kenneth A. Mix said the co-op will allow the city to avoid the tedious task of preparing a bid to buy the vehicle. Traditionally a municipality would accept multiple bids for a purchase and weigh them against each other, a process that is public and allows taxpayers to understand the options. The new ladder truck w...

WATERTOWN — With costs of repairs to its ladder trucks skyrocketing, the city is considering the purchase of a new aerial truck for the fire department. The City Council will be presented with a proposal to approve a $1.4 million bond ordinance to purchase a new ladder truck. Fire Chief Matthew Timerman said the city has been discussing getting a new ladder truck for about five years but budget constraints have prevented it from happening. During last spring’s budget deliberations, council members set aside $220,000 to repair the 2004 Pierce ladder truck instead of buying a new one....