By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

EAST SPENCER — The town of East Spencer wants residents to attend a public hearing to understand more about the proposed purchase of a fire truck that could lead to a possible tax hike.

The meeting, which is actually recessed from the board’s regular meeting held last week, will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, at town hall, 105 S. Long St.

“We are trying to make sure the public has a chance to look at it and talk about it. The board can either make a decision that night or at some other time,” said Town Administrator F.E. Isenhour.

He said it’s up to the board whether they will entertain questions, but citizens will receive information from the fire department about the truck, the cost and what it would cost the town.

“This is a big purchase for a long period of time to pay it out and it will require a tax increase,” Isenhour said.

A payment schedule would require an annual payment of $36,000 that could possibly equal to a 3-cent tax increase. The tax increase could yield $33,000 to $34,000 or more a year. Any money not covered under the tax increase would come from the budget to pay the remainder of the truck’s cost.

There are a few options available including making regular payments and have a balloon payment at the end. Isenhour said a large payment at the end is what they would rather not do to the next board in 10 or 12 years.

He said the biggest thing that will help residents is the new fire ISO rating. The change in fire rating means people who buy fire insurance, coupled with a potential tax increase, could pay less depending on the value of their home, said Assistant Chief Teon Robinson.

He said residential customers could save around 40 percent while commercial customers would see a more significant reduction.

The fire department presented cost options to the board during the March meeting. The truck, an S-180 pumper, would require a 15-year loan at a total cost of $428,000, or nearly $30,000 in annual installments.

The fire department has asked to see some specific numbers as to how much money could be generated from a 3-cent tax increase.

The Spartan engine would replace the department’s 1978 American LaFrance, a 40-year-old vehicle that was bought from High Point. The new truck would add to the department’s fleet, which also includes a 1993 HME pumper and an 18-year-old KME pumper.

Robinson said the 2000 KME has served the department well, but still has some underbody issues with rust and corrosion.

In August, the department was down to one working firetruck. At the time, then Fire Chief Josh Smith told the board the only truck they had was the 1993 KME, which was a reserve engine. Smith told the board that in 2016, they paid $68,000 for repairs.

“We are asking the board and citizens to allow us to purchase this for dependability and safety. To ensure we can get to them in a timely manner and the firemen here would have the necessary equipment to do their job,” Robinson said.

Robinson said anyone who would like to know more can stop by the fire department and ask questions. Residents can also stop by town hall before the meeting to ask staff any questions.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.