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TOLLAND — The Town Council approved the appropriation of $750,000 for the purchase of a new fire rescue truck, among other items, during its meeting Tuesday night.

WHAT: The Town Council approved the issuance of $1,197,366 in bonds to finance appropriations for the town.

PROJECTS: $750,000 for the purchase of a new fire rescue truck, $140,000 for resurfacing of track at Tolland Middle School, $115,488 for a lawnmower, and $191,878 for walkway renovations at Cross Farm Recreation Center to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The council also approved $140,000 for the resurfacing of the track at Tolland Middle School, $115,488 for the acquisition of a new lawnmower, and $191,878 to renovate the walkway at the Cross Farms Recreation Center to make it compliant with the American with Disabilities Act.

The purchase of the new fire rescue truck was the largest item on the docket and is necessary for future fire rescue.

Town Council Chairman Steven Jones said that the bonds for the purchase of the fire truck will not be issued until September, after which the fire department would get in touch with a vendor and place a bid for the new vehicle.

“Some of our equipment has been aging out and they are in dire need of replacement,” Jones said.

Jones said there is still a possibility for use of American Rescue Plan Act funds for the purchase if the council ARPA subcommittee determines this would be a valid use of the fund and brings the recommendation to the Town Council for it to be approved.

If this were the case, the town would no longer have to borrow $750,000.

“The new truck will meet current needs,” Jones said. He also said it could be modified to meet future needs as well.

The goal for the new truck is to be better equipped to handle emergencies in newer areas of town, such as the apartment complex that will be constructed behind Fieldstone Commons.

In total, the town approved the issuance of up to $1,197,366 in bonds for the recommended appropriations.

The funds were proposed in the capital improvement plan for 2022-2023, Town Manager Brian Foley said in the meeting.

As for the walkway plan, the council received multiple emails in support of making the walkway ADA compliant.

Susan Lucek-Hughes, vice-chairperson of the Commission on People with Disabilities, sent in a letter of support.

“All of our public parks and recreation areas should be as accessible as possible and this is a great ‘step’ in the right direction,” she said.

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I would sure like to see a photo of a $115,000 lawn mower. Really.

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