FARMINGTON — The Select Board on Tuesday unanimously voted to continue researching options to replace the town’s ladder truck, approved updated Recreation Department program fees and authorized a concession stand at Hippach Field.
The Farmington Fire Rescue Department now has a 2007 Pierce Tower Ladder/Quint, known as Tower 3, which is scheduled for replacement in 2027, according to the town’s capital improvement plan. Because of increasingly long build times for fire trucks, the department is seeking to order a replacement sooner.
At 19 years old, Tower 3 is reaching an age when repair costs and downtime become more of a concern, Chief Tim Hardy said. He added that electronic and computer components in modern trucks, along with rust, can also pose problems as vehicles age.
Hardy said building a fire truck once took 12 to 18 months, but can now take two to nearly five years. Even if the town orders a replacement soon, delivery might not come until 2030.
“It’s a completely different game than what we were ever used to,” Hardy told the board.
Farmington’s recent experience illustrates the challenge. Town officials decided in 2022 to replace Engine 2, a 1995 pumper truck, and hoped to receive the new Pierce Enforcer within 18 months. Delivery has been delayed, however, and the truck is now expected in March.
Longer delivery times affect more than the schedule. They also change how municipalities pay for fire trucks. In the past, communities often made down payments to reduce borrowing and sometimes secure a discount.
Hardy said it made less sense if the company was going to hold the town’s money for years. Farmington earns 3.4% interest on funds kept in the bank, making options such as a lease‑purchase agreement or other financing more appealing. The current Tower 3 truck could also be sold to offset the cost.
The Fire Rescue Department’s budget has allocated $150,000 annually to a reserve fund for fire apparatus over the past three years, bringing the account to $515,145.
That represents a fraction of the cost of a new truck. The department issued five requests for proposals to replace Tower 3 and received two responses, both topping $2 million.
Greenwood Emergency Vehicles proposed a Spartan/Smeal engine priced at $2.15 million, while Allegiance Fire & Rescue offered a Pierce Enforcer 100‑foot Ascendant Midmount Tower/Quint at $2.33 million.
While the Greenwood proposal appears to be the cheaper option, Hardy said the department favors the Pierce Enforcer from Allegiance. It shares the same configuration and many of the components of Engine 1, a 2020 Pierce Rescue pumper, as well as the incoming Engine 2.
The Spartan/Smeal truck also does not meet some of the department’s specifications, Hardy said. At 49 feet, it would be 3 feet longer than Tower 3, requiring modifications to the garage. The added length could also hinder maneuvering in tight spaces, Hardy said, while the Pierce Enforcer is 3 feet shorter than Tower 3.
Hardy said he was also concerned that the Spartan/Smeal engine has less container space for gear — a particular issue since the department has reduced the size of its fleet and now has less space to spare.
The Spartan/Smeal also carries a potential added cost: Its engines would likely need to be redesigned to meet new federal environmental standards. That expense was not included in the bid price.
One option to pay for the truck would be to use funds the department has on hand when the vehicle becomes available, then move from annual contributions to the reserve account to annual debt service payments.
Select Board members unanimously approved further research into a replacement truck and its financing.
The board also approved changes to program and rental fees for the Farmington Recreation Department, and a concession stand at Hippach Field.
The concession stand would operate during high‑traffic events, such as baseball and soccer games, and at the ice‑skating rink in winter, where the town sometimes offers hot chocolate and popcorn. The stand would sell basic items, including bottled water, sports drinks, chips, candy and steamed hot dogs, likely priced at $1 to $2.
The stand is expected to be supported by a dedicated special revenue account with a starting balance of $1,500. Organizers hope the stand will serve as an amenity for attendees and generate revenue to help offset staffing and supply costs.
Program fees for Hippach Camp were increased by $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. Jersey fees rose from $8 to $13.50 to cover the cost of the shirts.
Swim programs were also divided into residents and nonresidents, with residents paying $30 to $35, depending on the program, and nonresidents paying $45 to $50.
Rental costs for the Farmington Community Center also increased, typically ranging from $15 to $20 per hour depending on the event and time.
The Community Center and its parking lot have been closed to the public since last summer because of an ongoing roof replacement project. The work has faced delays tied to the building’s age and issues with contractors, reengineering and missing components.
Town officials said they hope the facility will reopen fully in mid‑February.
