New fire apparatus to be purchased

At the Thursday workshop the Town Commission decided to transfer $74,000 from the Phase II Infrastructure Surtax (Sarasota County penny sales tax) money to the Fire Department General Fund to purchase new fire apparatus and tools to equip the new fire truck. The cost of the engine/pumper and installation is $73,840. The equipment will include an engine/pumper apparatus, which will, according to Fire Chief Rich Dickerson, best suit the needs of the community for structure fire responses and will give cost savings for the town. The engine/pumper and extra tools will be installed on the newly purchased aerial ladder truck. The town currently has two ladder trucks and a reserve truck in use.