The Newton Board of Aldermen has agreed to enter into an agreement with the Newton County Emergency Management Agency to use at least $70,000 in grant money to purchase a new fire truck.
Newton County EMA director Brian Taylor said the City of Newton is one of the next in line for a new “county” truck. Currently, there is at least $70,000 available in the coming year to purchase a new truck, but he said there is a possibility the city could slide into position for a $90,000 grant if another Newton County community is unable to provide a match for the grant.
Taylor said the grant wouldn’t cover everything the city might need to put the new truck in service, but he said the city could supplement the grant with funding to provide for the city’s current needs.
Newton fire chief J.C. Collins is estimating that a new fire truck that the city needs would cost about $469,000. The additional equipment it would need to put it in service would push the overall cost to about $500,000.
“It’s something that could really help the fire department maintain its current 6 (ISO) rating and could save residents a lot in their home owners insurance,” Taylor said.
Taylor said the truck would service the city for at least 25 years and could be extended another five years with additional testing.
In other business, Taylor said the county’s 911 service began accepting Newton’s calls on March 30. He said there have been a few hiccups during the transition, but overall it has gone fairly well.
The county installed a call box outside of the Newton Police Department for anyone who stops at the police department with an emergency after hours. That call box will connect the person with a 911 operator.
