COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater City Council approved a request from Fire Chief Dave Schmaltz on Monday night to have the fire department buy a new utility truck which would replace a 1985 DNR grass rig and a 2003 pickup truck.
While it was not identified in the 2020-2021 budget, Schmaltz offered to replace the budgeted negative pressure turnout gear exhaust room in exchange for authorization from the Council to buy the utility truck.
The department would buy the vehicle from Cole Ford of Coldwater for just over $57,800.
Schmaltz said the original plans called for the expansion of the station towards the east thus creating two new bays which would then have provided the necessary space for the new turnout gear room. But with the cost of expanding the bays exceeding $300,000 and the room being quoted at $70,000, it was felt the project could not move forward at this time.
He added the D.M.S. mechanics did a complete inspection on the 2003 pickup and recommended to remove it from service due to several mechanical issues including a considerable amount of rust throughout the truck and the need for a new brake system.
