CLARKSBURG, Mass. — When Engine 1 rolled into the firehouse in 1980, it was the cream of the crop. The Hendrickson/Continental was the volunteer fire company's first custom truck — built to the very detailed specifications of the knowledgeable crew.  

 

But nothing lasts forever and after 38 years of responding to hundreds of fires and incidents, the old fire truck is in serious need of replacement. 

 

"I've been warning the town since 2014-15 that this is coming because every 20 years the town buys the fire company a firetruck, and after 20 years the fire company pays the town a $1 and takes possession of the truck as ours," Fire Chief Carlyle "Chip" Chesbro Jr. told the Select Board on Wednesday. 

 

The projected cost of a new Freightliner truck is $405,000 in fiscal 2020 — at a point when the old engine is 40 years. The Hendrickson has already been removed from service because of rust and brake issues that aren't worth repairing. 

 

"It pumps and runs great, the diesel will run forever, but everything around it is on life support," Chesbro said. In the interim, the fire company was able to purchase a 1992 Freightliner for $5,300 "to keep us viable."

 

The price, not surprisingly, gave the board pause and Select Board member Karin Robert asked if grants were available. Chesbro said yes, but they're hard to come by. 

 

"We are working as hard as we can," he replied. "For the last five years, we've diligently went out and we've got a grant solicitor who writes our grant. Every year for five years. But the problem is when you go after a grant for a firetruck it's very competitive. Super competitive — everyone wants a firetruck."

 

Clarksburg is only one of more than 19,000 fire departments across the country vying for funding through the federal Assistance to Firefighters grant program. It was able to obtain funds of $157,500 in 2004 to purchase a tanker truck a year later to replace two outdated converted tankers (oil and milk) that were no longer safe to use.

 

Chesbro said gaining the grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency would mean the town would only have to match the grant at about $20,000. Town Administrator Carl McKinney said he could reach out to U.S. Rep. Richard Neal's office to see if that could help.

 

"If we can get somebody to come forward and foot that bill and we would only have to pay a small portion of it," Chesbro said, adding the fire company has been working with the city of North Adams to get grants to cover equipment and other needs rather than coming to the town. 

 

And once the volunteer fire company has the truck, it takes care of all the repairs and maintenance. The town is only responsible for the insurance and the truck payment.

 

"During the period we have the truck in the firehouse, you never hear from us if there's an issue," the chief said. "If there is something wrong with the truck we take care of it, we do the maintenance every year on the whole fleet."

 

The company has six trucks including the old Engine 1 that it's hoping to sell for a few thousand dollars. In addition to the 1992 truck it bought as short-term Engine 1 replacement, it has a 2000 Freightliner (Engine 2) purchased by the town in 2000 for $208,000 that will be paid off in fiscal 2020; the 2005 tanker; the 1963 Jeep brush truck; and a 2003 Rescue truck.

 

Other than the vintage Jeep, all the trucks will now be Freightliners. Chesbro said the company would need to know by the end of the year or at least early 2019 if it can order the truck. The process takes about a year and a committee would be formed to oversee the order. 

 

Chairman Ronald Boucher said he would set up a meeting for Chesbro with the Finance Committee to discuss the purchase.