Wawa Municipal Council's approved the purchase of a new tanker fire apparatus for the local fire department.
Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin recommended the purchase, noting that two bids were received, but one had to be rejected because the vehicle was taller than specified - that would make it too tall to fit within the current fire hall.
The one remaining tender was from Carrier Centers Emergency, for a new 5-seat cab tanker fire apparatus at a cost of $503,292.61 - more than $100,000 above the $400,000 budget approved by Council, with the overage to be covered by the Municipality's General Capital Reserve.
This comes nearly two months after Council directed Sabourin to issue a second tender request, as the first attempt also received only one eligible bid, for $715,000 - $300,000 above the budgeted amount.
Sabourin says the new tanker isn't expected for over 400 days, and when asked if the current tanker would last that long, Sabourin wasn't able to say, having warned it is in poor condition and could cease to be "roadworthy" any day, though he did note that it worked last weekend and "that was the important thing".