MONTICELLO — The Monticello Fire Department has put into service the newest addition to its truck fleet, a 1999 Pierce Dash Engine purchased used from a village fire department in Walworth County. 

Monticello Fire Chief Kevin Komprood announced the addition this week. The truck went into service Jan. 26 and replaces a 1989 Custom Fire Engine.

The department serves the Village of Monticello, Town of Washington and Town of Mount Pleasant and aims for a 30-year replacement cycle for its trucks. A committee formed in January 2018 to decide on a new engine. The committee consisted of Komprood, Assistant Fire Chief Shane Luchsinger, Assistant Fire Chief Jason Eyler, Captain Ron Blumer and firefighters/trustees Casey Klossner and Brian Grossen.

After researching several manufacturers, the committee learned a new truck would cost about $500,000. The members of the fire district had not set aside funds and did not want to borrow the money for such a purchase, according to Komprood.

The committee learned the Village of Williams Bay in Walworth County was selling a truck with the specifications the Fire Department wanted, including low miles, a Waterous-brand 1,500 gallons-per-minute top-mount pump, 1,000-gallon poly-water tank, 35 feet of ground ladder, a diesel generator and storage for at least 3,000 feet of fire hose.

The Monticello Fire District Board approved the committee to make Williams Bay an offer on the used truck, and the offer was accepted.

The intent is for the Fire Department to get 12 more years of service out of this truck to give the members of the fire district time to set aside funds for the next truck purchase, according to Komprood’s announcement.

The Monticello Fire District has put $124,000 into this truck, including purchase price, Pierce upgraded pump components and lighting. Other improvements include Lakeside International painting the truck, General Communications upgrading the radio equipment and Thunder Valley providing graphics.