Vote on fire truck buys delayed amid public outcry

West Hurley Fire Department commissioners postponed a referendum on fire truck purchases until June 5 after residents questioned an absence of information about the need to buy two used vehicles.

The concerns were raised Monday during a commission meeting that attracted about 40 people, several of whom said the community has not been kept updated about costs or how the commission chose the trucks.

“Whatever information you guys [have], you’re not getting it out,” resident Donald Rice said. “There’s lots of things to get out there, and I think you would do yourself a big favor by doing that because it is important that we, as taxpayers and members of this community, see what’s going on. So do yourself a favor and get as much information to us as you can.”

Board members have scheduled a public hearing on the proposition for 7 p.m. May 7.

Commissioners had planned an April 24 vote on a referendum seeking approval to pay $94,000 for a used 2000 Quint engine ladder truck and $51,000 for a used 2005 LaFrance pumper tanker. Also on the ballot will be a proposition seeking approval to sell a 2006 Freightliner tanker, which officials estimate would result in $107,500 in revenue.

Commissioners said the equipment would be purchased with money in a reserve fund, and that proceeds from the tanker sale would be put toward reimbursing the account.

The motion to set a new referendum date was made by commission member Frank Faluotico. He said it was important that residents have an opportunity to ask questions about the process used to choose the vehicles.

“We’re going to postpone the vote so that we can do a public informational meeting so everybody can ask their questions and we have facts and figures on paper to give you before that meeting,” Faluotico said.

Some residents still were unhappy about the changes because some of the questions were raised during the commission’s meeting last week.

“Now, all of a sudden, there was this flash [Monday] meeting to tell everybody you’re not prepared ... with the information that you should have had,” resident Lynn Fox said. “To call the meeting to postpone something is ... just red-tape bureaucracy.”