The Village of Pemberton (VOP) is one step closer to getting a much-needed new fire truck.
Council approved borrowing from the Municipal Finance Authority (MFA) of British Columbia at a meeting on Tuesday, June 18.
The MFA will review borrowing requests at its semi-annual general meeting on Sept. 17.
Council will borrow $853,754 as authorized through the recently passed Triple Combination Pumper Truck Loan Authorization Bylaw. Council also requested that the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) consent to it borrowing over 20 years, and include the borrowing in a security issuing bylaw.
Councillors unanimously passed both motions without comment.
This municipal security issuing resolution was the next step in the process of getting long-term financing for the triple combination pumper truck.
Mayor and council adopted a loan authorization bylaw for the new fire truck at a council meeting on Tuesday, April 9 following a successful alternative approval process (AAP).
The AAP was necessary as the bylaw would authorize the Village to borrow funds over a period longer than five years—requiring approval of voters. The AAP process was initiated Feb. 13. No elector responses were received before the deadline on Monday, March 25. Receipt of elector response forms from more than 10 per cent of eligible electors would have nixed the bylaw.
A one-month quashing period, required by the Local Government Act concluded on May 9. The Village also received the necessary certificate of approval from the Inspector of Municipalities on June 12.
Pemberton Fire Rescue Chief Cameron Adams stressed that a new a triple combination pumper truck is desperately needed during the committee of the whole budgeting session on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
“The equipment is getting to 30 years old. We are definitely seeing that it is aging. To be able to replace that with something that is a lot more reliable so we can continue our service standards is needed,” he said.
“A 30-year vehicle looks like half of it is falling behind us as we drive. We have done very well in keeping our apparatus in good service for as long as it is. The recommendation is 20 years old, but we have been able to extend that life another 10 years.”
