Lease agreement brings needed equipment to local department

FARMINGTON – Christmas came early for one local fire department.

Leadington Fire Chief Doug Graham was at the Farmington Fire Department on Friday to take delivery of a much needed piece of equipment for his department.

On Thursday, the Farmington City Council approved a lease agreement with the city of Leadington for the 1987 pumper truck.

The lease is in the amount of $10 a year and is similar to other lease agreements the city has with other law enforcement agencies for equipment no longer needed – yet still in good working condition.

The Farmington department is awaiting delivery on a new pumper truck in January — a purchase made possible through the passage of the half-cent sales tax in November of 2013.

Included in the $16 million expected to be generated through the 10-year sales tax extension was fire department equipment totaling $1.8 million.

Farmington Fire Chief Todd Mecey said the lease agreement with Leadington is one more way local departments come to the assistance of one another.

“They had a pumper not pass pump test,” Mecey said of the Leadington department. “We were going to be taking this truck out of service, so instead of selling it, we are doing the low-cost lease agreement.

“It’s the simplest way to give Leadington the equipment in the quickest way.”

Graham said the new pumper is “very much needed.”

“We thank the Farmington Fire Department immensely,” he added.

Leadington Fire Chief Doug Graham, at left, takes delivery of a 1987 pumper truck from Farmington Fire Chief Todd Mecey on Friday. The Farmington City Council approved a lease agreement with the city of Leadington for the truck in the amount of $10 a year. 

Shawnna Robinson is the managing editor of the Farmington Press and can be reached at 573-756-8927 or srobinson@farmingtonpressonline.com