Wethersfield Voters To Decide $4M Fire Truck Project

WETHERSFIELD, CT — Wethersfield voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to approve $4 million to replace two aging vehicles used by the town's fire department.

The Wethersfield Town Council has approved a resolution appropriating $4 million for the purchase of a ladder truck and a heavy-duty rescue truck, subject to voter approval.

If the referendum passes, the town would be authorized to issue bonds or notes totaling no more than $4 million to finance the purchases, according to a town announcement issued Thursday, Oct. 8.

The proposal would replace two vehicles that have been in service for more than 25 years.

The vehicles slated for replacement are:

• Truck 32: A 1997 aerial tower truck equipped with a 100-foot ladder, stationed at Fire Company No. 3.
• Rescue 23: A 2000 heavy-duty rescue truck stationed at Fire Company No. 2.

Town officials said the replacements are intended to bring the department's equipment closer to National Fire Protection Association 1900 standards, which address the design, performance, and manufacturing of emergency response vehicles.

The project also aims to reduce the amount of time fire apparatus are unavailable because of maintenance and repairs.

What Would The $4 Million Cover?

According to the town, the appropriation would cover more than the purchase prices of the two vehicles.

Authorized expenses could include equipment, engineering and professional fees, materials, furnishings, legal expenses, financing costs, interest on temporary borrowing, and other costs associated with acquiring the trucks.

The town estimates the total project cost at $4 million.

How Much Could The Project Cost Taxpayers?

Town officials also released estimates showing how the proposed borrowing could affect property taxes.

The projections assume the town would finance the $4 million through a 10-year bond issue with equal annual principal payments and a 4.10% interest rate.

The estimates are based on a home assessed at $209,370, which the town identifies as Wethersfield's median residential assessment.

Under those assumptions, the estimated annual property tax impact would begin at approximately $41 in fiscal year 2028 and gradually decline to approximately $30 by fiscal year 2037.

The town's projections show annual debt service starting at approximately $555,000 in fiscal year 2028 and decreasing to approximately $410,000 by fiscal year 2037.

The figures represent estimated additional taxes associated specifically with the fire apparatus borrowing. They do not account for other potential changes to the town's tax rate or property assessments.

Actual costs would depend on the final borrowing terms and other financial factors.

Referendum Scheduled For Nov. 3

The question appearing before Wethersfield voters on Election Day will ask:

“Shall the Town of Wethersfield appropriate $4,000,000 for the purchase of a ladder truck and a rescue truck for the Wethersfield Fire Department and authorize the issuance of bonds or notes of the Town in an amount not to exceed $4,000,000 to finance the appropriation?”

A yes vote would authorize the appropriation and borrowing for the purchases. A no vote would reject that authorization.

The referendum is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.