By Rikki Cason<br><a href="mailto:rikki.cason@journal-register.com">E-mail Rikki</a>
After months of discussions, the Medina Fire Department got the OK from the village board Monday to purchase a new pickup truck.
The Medina Village Board has had concerns over whether the fire department really needed the new truck.
Although the purchase was budgeted, when the department began researching the price of a new truck, it was determined that it would cost more than the $15,000 budgeted. The new truck would replace the existing pickup that is used for plowing in the winter and as a command vehicle in the summer months.
Fire Chief Todd Zinkievich spoke at Monday’s meeting and gave the board three viable options, the first of which was chosen.
Option 1: A new 2010 F25O from state bid for $18,000. Zinkievich said the truck has an eight- to 10-week delivery period though, putting receipt of the truck sometime in mid-winter.
Option 2: A 2010 truck with a plow already on it for $22,500. Zinkievich said that the department just purchased a new plow two years ago, so they don’t need a truck with a plow.
Option 3: A 2007 used truck with 17,000 miles on it for $23,000.
Zinkievich said the condition of the current truck is such that it would not make it through another winter. The department needs a truck so it can plow its driveways so ambulances and fire trucks can get out of the garages.
“It’s about time we made a decision,” said trustee Andrew Meier. “You’re telling us you can’t get by this year, and I trust you.”
Trustees debated which option would be best for the department and the money spent.
“I think keeping it as close to the budget is ideal,” said trustee Kelly Kiebala, who favored option 1.
Meier, too, favored that option and said it is important that they be resourceful.
Trustee Tom Snyder leaned towards the second option but also worried about the fire department’s ego.
“In my opinion we’ve got a pretty spoiled fire department,” Snyder said.
Although he thinks it’s terrific that Medina has such a well-equipped fire department, Snyder worries that the department will start to get a “big head” with all of the brand new equipment purchased recently. He said that he has heard from members of the community that they are also concerned about purchases.
Zinkievich enumerated for Snyder the purchases of the past few years: a new fire truck, a new Durango to get to training sessions, one used ambulance and three new ambulances.
Zinkievich encouraged any member of the community with questions about the purchases to stop by the fire department.
The board approved the purchase of option 1 for $18,000. Although the expenditure is $3,000 more than what was allocated, the remaining funds will come from ambulance revenues and not taxpayer dollars.
In other board news:
n A tree risk survey will soon be completed in the Village of Medina. Mayor Adam Tabelski said that the survey done by Urban Forestry will provide an inventory of all the trees in the village to identify what needs to be addressed. The survey will cost $2,850 and take one month to complete. It will help the village develop a work plan to address trees that pose the greatest risk to village residents.
n The board passed a resolution to participate in countywide cable contract negotiations. Some of the trustees had concerns whether countywide cable is the best option for its residents but agreed to participate because the village is not bound to the outcome.
Contact reporter Rikki Cason at 798-1400, ext. 8227.
