By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Montpelier Village Council met in regular session on Monday, January 26, with fire chief Brian Fritsch discussing the purchase of a new fire ladder truck for the village.
Following the roll call of council members with Don Schlosser, Heather Freese, Nathan Thompson, Melissa Ewers, Chris Kannel, and Kevin Motter in attendance, a prayer was offered by Janice Desterhaft of the Montpelier First Presbyterian Church, and attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council then approved the minutes from the January 12 meeting and the agenda for the January 26 meeting.
With the passage of the fire and police levy last November, Village Manager Jason Rockey told council there have been quite a few questions about whether the village is going to order fire apparatus or when the police department is going to hire additional officers.
Fritsch updated council on the status of the purchase of a new 107-foot, single axle ladder truck for the fire department.
The estimated cost of the ladder truck, which is going to be purchased from Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisconsin, is between $1.8 to $1.9 million.
It will have 531 optional items featured in the new ladder truck, including a 2,000-gallon-per-minute pump.
He provided council members with a sample photograph and drawing of what the fire department is proposing to purchase for a replacement fire truck.
“When the levy was going through, we were looking at a 48-month build time, and that’s from the time of signing the contract until the time of delivery,” said Fritsch.
Fritsch explained that the company has come up with a stock list where they put the trucks into the pipeline.
“When they come out with the stock list, there is very little that you can do with the truck,” said the fire chief.
“They’ve already built the spec and planned what they’re doing with the truck. The problem is, this truck has very few aerials that come through. The second one we’re looking at is called a puck configuration, which gives us a little more storage on the truck.
“It also puts the pump even more specialized, so those don’t come through as often. If one were to come through and say it was 90 or 95 percent of what we’re looking at, we would literally have one or two hours to say yes to get that truck because it’s coming out nationwide.
“You’re in with everyone else who is looking for it. Once the contract for your truck is signed, you can no longer investigate a stock unit.”
Fritsch added that the most limiting factor for the department to put in a new aerial truck into its station is the door height, which is 12 feet.
He noted the trucks were coming in at 11-10 and recommended the specified maximum height of the new fire truck at 11-8.
The fire chief, along with fire department mechanic Chris Hinkle and four other firefighters, met with a sales representative from Pierce Manufacturing on Wednesday, January 28.
They were going to begin working on the details for the new fire ladder truck.
“He (Hinkle) is putting in his own input because there are a couple of different motors and different transmissions he can choose from,” said Fritsch.
“I want him to tell me this is the one I can work on, this is the easiest one, this is what is most like other motors in the village. So, I want his input on those things and from the servicing and taking care of it down the road.”
The fire department is also looking to purchase a Ford F-250 truck for brush fires. Rockey said the truck is already in the 2026 budget.
It was recommended that the department purchase a 2026 truck at $54,000. The department is replacing a truck that has 66,000 miles on it.
Fritsch added that the Montpelier Firefighters Association is willing to put some money into the Ford F-250 truck.
Earlier in the meeting, Rev. Desterhaft relayed to council that she had been approached by several residents concerning the best way to get the quickest and most updated weather information, especially with the recent snowstorm.
Mayor Steve Yagelski responded to Disterhaft’s question, suggesting Alert 86 for real-time updates is out there for any type of weather and is accessible on the police department’s website.
Council member Chris Kannel, who serves on the economic development and strategy committee, said they have been meeting with representatives from the parks department and park board.
The committee has been actively working on funding sources to replace the village pool.
In other action, council authorized Rockey to purchase a 2025 Ford F-550 truck from Brondes Ford, Toledo, for the street department at $60,945. The purchase was approved by a 6-0 vote.
Council approved the purchase of a dump truck body from Kalida Truck Equipment for the street department at $40,000. It was approved by a 6-0 vote.
Council passed an ordinance to align village codes with the Ohio Revised Code for 2025.
Rockey reported that Justin Houk has received his burn permit from the Ohio Environmental Agency.
It will enable him to clear the west tree pile on the Ironhorse River Trail. This multi-day burn is scheduled for February.
The village manager said the street department had received a new box blade for the front-end loader.
The next council meeting will be on Monday, February 9, at 6 p.m.
MONTPELIER VILLAGE COUNCIL