Mill Village Fire Department is hoping to get the Region of Queens on board to help them buy a new fire truck.

The $711,810 R Series Top Control 4-door truck is already in Bridgewater and the seller is holding it for Mill Village until April 1. The department is asking the Region to contribute $275,000 in loan payments over 10 years.

The Region’s policy is to assist the five fire departments in the county with vehicle purchases according to a set schedule. That schedule has expired and under a proposed schedule, Mill Village would be in line to receive the $275,000 they’re asking in the 24-25 budget year.

Mayor Darlene Norman says the municipality is willing to help once the fire chiefs decide on a new schedule.

“I like to be optimistic that for whatever reason, the fire chiefs will sit down, look each other in the eye and figure this out. Because that is what they do according to this policy. Five fire chiefs agreeing on a truck purchase schedule,” said Norman. “Otherwise, council is going to have to step in, change this policy, because fire departments need their fire trucks.”

Norman is also concerned that if the purchase isn’t made soon, rising interest rates could increase the price of the truck by $30-40,000 over the term of the loan.

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