Stevi mayor to veto fire engine purchase, start process over

By Michael Howell

Stevensville Mayor Paul Ludington said he is going to veto the budget amendment passed by the council at its last meeting that would have approved the purchase of a ladder truck for the Fire Department, some necessary additional equipment and some optional equipment for the total sum of $28,000.
The budget amendment resolution included in the public notice for the public hearing and the council meeting authorized the transfer of $5,000 from the Fire Engine Capital Improvement Fund savings account to the cash operating fund and then combining it with $10,000 that had been budgeted for replacing an ambulance. The resulting $15,000 would be used for the purchase and upgrade of a 1985 Pierce 55-foot Quint ladder truck. However, the council approved $28,000 for the truck, which was not the amount advertised in the public notice on the budget amendment resolution.
“It’s my fault,” said Ludington. “It was kind of a screwy deal and I should have told them at the time that they couldn’t do it. It kind of caught me by surprise.” He said the council can’t really pass a budget amendment for an amount different than what was in the public notice, especially in this case where a large portion of the increase is for the purchase of items that were not mentioned earlier and are not necessary for the operation of the ladder truck.
Ludington said that the best solution at this point was to veto the resolution and have a new amendment drawn up reflecting the complete deal.
“The public needs a chance to weigh in on this,” he said. He said the council will have an opportunity to override his veto, but he believes they will see the sense in what he’s doing.
The “optional equipment” referred to by Fire Chief Jeff Motley primarily included a positive air vent, a saw, and a thermal imaging device that added at least $9,000 to the deal.
Although the Fire Department’s bid on the ladder truck was successful, Ludington said the truck had not actually been purchased yet. He said the truck was brought to Stevensville last Saturday but it was not paid for. He said the Fire Chief in Columbus needed to move it out so they went and got it. He said if the deal doesn’t go through it will be returned to Columbus.
“They understand that,” said Ludington. “This is not uncommon in the transfer of large vehicles, especially fire apparatus.” He said Columbus was still paying the insurance premium on the rig and that would not change until the title was transferred.
In other business, the council decided that all council members would re-take their oath of office due to the omission of the pledge of fidelity to the U.S. Constitution from the oaths that were administered. No date was set.
The council unanimously approved the issuance of $1.25 million in sewer system revenue bonds. According to Ludington, by adding the 1999 bond into this new one, the town will be saving a lot in interest. He said the original bond was paying 2.25% interest and this is being reduced to 1.87%.
The council formed a Joint Advisory Board to oversee both the North Stevensville Tax Increment Financing Industrial District and the Airport Targeted Economic Development District. Board members will be elected annually and serve for three-year terms.
The council consented to the Mayor’s appointment of Dan Ritter to serve on the Planning and Zoning Committee.
Judge Ron Klaphake told the council that he will be retiring effective March 31, 2016. He said the decision was made “after careful consideration of the needs of my family and my own personal well-being.” He was heartily complimented on his service as a council member and as Town Judge.