Fire Department a Few Steps Closer to Being Made Whole

The Stratford fire department is a bit closer to being made whole after the town made a series of moves these past few weeks, including signing an agreement to settle the liability for one damaged fire truck resulting in a $198,837 check being cut to the town.

In addition, Chief Administrative Officer Geen Thazhampallath told the full Town Council on Monday night that a short-term lease that would bring a much-needed fire truck to town also “yielded positive results for the town,” with the two insurance companies involved agreeing to pay for “all short term lease costs,” although securing that truck from the low bidder failed recently.

The actions are part of the continuing fallout from the early January accident on I-95 that occurred when two tractor-trailer trucks rammed into two Stratford fire trucks parked on the interstate while responding to an earlier car accident, rendering major damage to both and putting the fire department in an apparatus hole.

Regarding the short-term lease vehicle that is intended to bring one truck to town immediately, Thazhampallath noted the lease was put out to back a while back, with three bidders responding and the low bidder selected. However, a used truck was delivered to Stratford on March 8, he noted, which was rejected and returned after it was discoverered be leaking “massive oil amounts.”

Thazhampallath told the Council that the “leak was known to the vendor but undisclosed until inspection.”

A second lease truck was then sent to Stratford by the low bidder that “also failed on site inspection due to numerous potential mechanical and safety issues,” forcing the town to begin negotiations with the second lowest bidder in order to obtain a lease apparatus.

“They do have a truck and we are working to allocate that with a slight cost increase and we will have that apparatus in place in the short term.”

Meanwhile, Thazhampallath announced that a truck repair plan for the two damaged trucks has been created. “The Smeal truck may be repaired in North Haven or in Wisconsin based on specific damage and needs,” he said.

“The damaged Pierce fire truck will have its parts rebuilt in Nebraska and shipped to Rocky Hill, CT, for truck repair. The repairs for the Pierce truck will be $198,837,” he said, a cost that will be totally borne by the two insurance companies, as “insurance adjusters and the insurance firms involved in this incident have worked with the town’s legal team to move the repair process forward.”

Thazhampallath told the Council that on March 11 Mayor John Harkins “authorized the repair of the two trucks to begin without delay,” estimating an 8- to 12-month window for the repairs to be completed.

Regarding the long-term plan to readjust the fire department’s capital plan in the aftermath of the January accident, Thazhampallath noted that a “purchase plan was formalized with the finance department” and his office. 

“As you are aware,” he told Council members, “the Stratford fire department has no rescue truck in operation and this truck purchase would fulfill that need.

“Leasing a new truck was explored but ruled out due to the operating budget implications and constraints. Leased apparatus must be financed through the general fund,” and not by bonding, “thus increasing the operating budget.”

Town officials also explored a trade-in option, which, to date, Thazhampallath said, was not seen in the town’s best interest as determined by the town attorney.

 “We believe the best financing method would be to bond for this new rescue truck through the authorization before the Council tonight,” he said. “This purchase is now properly built into the five-year capital plan.”

“We do believe that the long range plan is viable and in the town’s best interest fiscally speaking,” Thazhampallath said in his written handout to the Council. “It is projected that the plan could save the town approximately $8000,000 or more in bonding over the next five year by delaying or negating other purchase needs.”

He added that the “truck purchase was put out to public bid with six respondents; three were selected as finalists and the low bidder was selected. The cost of the new truck is $479,000.”