SANFORD — Two pieces of fire apparatus — the aging Ladder 37 and Engine 1 — will likely be replaced with one multi-purpose piece of equipment commonly referred to as a “quint.”

The City Council’s public safety subcommittee agreed to present that prospect to the full council sometime this fall.

Because they’re talking about spending in the next fiscal year that begins July 1, the council’s commitment would come ahead of the traditional start of the budget process. 

“The council would have to commit to place the order,” said City Manager Steve Buck.

It takes about a year to build a new piece of fire apparatus, so if approved, the quint would arrive during the next fiscal year. No payment would be required until the city took delivery.  The quint, at about $1.24 million, has been discounted by $55,000, said Buck.  Sanford would pay for the new quint with a 10-year lease-purchase.

Councilors Lucas Lanigan and Maura Herlihy represented the council subcommittee on Tuesday and said they favored the plan for the quint.

Fire Chief Steve Benotti said several pieces of Sanford’s fire equipment are held together “with bubble gun and baling wire,” and that Ladder 37, acquired in 1988, and Engine 1, in 1998, are ailing.

Under Sanford’s Charter, the city must budget 4 percent of the municipal and school operating budgets for the Capital Improvement Program. 

The fire chief will also look for a used squad vehicle to replace a 1988 model.

Some good news on the horizon is that a new fire engine should be in the city soon. Sanford received a grant a year ago for a new engine to replace a 1988 model and is paying about $30,000 of the $340,000 tab. 

Benotti said some of Sanford’s other fire equipment — Engine 2, acquired in 2001 and Engine 3, acquired in 2005, both have significant rust problems on the undersides. He said the department is looking at having them sandblasted to try and extend their longevity.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.