SACO — The fire department is asking the city for a new fire boat, and some councilors have concerns with the price tag.

The fire department’s previous boat, a surplus Coast Guard boat given to the city about 10 years ago, had a bilge pump failure in June. The boat filled with water during a storm and was later found partially submerged. The city’s insurance company determined the boat a total loss and the city was granted $15,000.

The fire department worked with Old Orchard Beach the rest of the summer and used its boat for limited services, but it was determined that Old Orchard Beach’s boat was not suitable for ocean rescues beyond the coastline.

The fire department is asking for a $100,000 Multi Mission Response boat similar to the fire boat that South Portland uses. The boat, among other features, would have a swim deck that would allow rescuers to safely pull in victims, said Duross.

Saco and Biddeford share a police boat, which Police Chief Bradley Paul said is outfitted to serve the police department’s needs as a patrol boat, and is not a rescue boat.

As well, Biddeford has a fire boat, and Fire Chief John Duross said it’s procedure to have a backup and have both boats respond to a call.

Duross said if there’s a call, local fire departments generally respond quicker than Marine Patrol or the Coast Guard, and he wants to maintain the current level of service. Over the years, Camp Ellis has changed from a fishing village to a recreational hub, he said. Last year, the fire department responded to 30 calls, and the police responded to 57 calls. Duross said he was told by the police that 45 of those 57 calls could have used the fire department’s assistance.

Councilor Arthur Tardif asked if the fire department had looked into another surplus boat.

Duross said with the used boat, it gets to the point maintenance costs outweighed the acquisition. He said the city put $11,000 worth of maintenance costs into it, plus work from the public works department.

Tardif said he thought the city should look into a less expensive boat.

“For $100,000, I don’t think so,” he said.

Councilor Philip Blood said if the city were to purchase the boat, the city should refrain from purchasing something else, so that there isn’t an additional $21,000 a year in the budget.

Chris Denton, chairman of the local tax watchdog group Saco Citizens for Sensible Taxes, said he thought the city could work with Marine Patrol instead of duplicating a service provided on the state level. He also said there is a pay service to tow boats ”“ SeaTow, which is similar to AAA, but on the water ”“ and said that if his car was stuck on the side of the road, he wouldn’t expect the city’s public work’s department to tow it. He also questioned the use of local taxpayer money to assist people who are not residents of Saco.

Councilor Leslie Smith said that if someone has a flat tire or runs out of gas, their car isn’t moving anywhere. However, with a boat, “you are at whim of the wind and tide” and there could be a potential safety issue. Lifeguards don’t ask people if they are from away when they help people, he said.

Councilor David Tripp asked the fire chief if he could give the suggested purchase “some very serious review,” and he thought a suitable boat could be purchased for about $50,000.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.