WHEATLAND — The Wheatland Town Council ultimately tabled a request to purchase a ladder truck for the Wheatland Volunteer Fire Department during the council’s regular meeting Monday.
Chase Christensen, treasurer for the Wheatland Volunteer Fire Department Foundation, presented the town an opportunity to buy a ladder truck for $20,000 from the city of Newcastle, which has purchased a new ladder truck. He said the truck has 16,000 miles on it and is in excellent repair.
Town Clerk/Treasurer Candy Wright said the town would have to adjust its budget in order to purchase the truck.
Fire Chief Chuck William called the Newcastle Fire Department during the meeting to see if Newcastle would hold the truck until Wheatland can adjust its budget. William reported Newcastle would give Wheatland 30-60 days to decide.
Mayor Joe Fabian said that will give the city time to ask Basin Electric to help with the cost. He said the deal appeared promising and the council would decide by April 9, the next regular meeting.

Christensen said the largest expense associated with the ladder truck was ladder certification, which must be done every three years at a cost of about $3,000-$5,000.
Councilor Brandon Graves noted that was less than the cost to certify the bucket trucks for the electric department.
Christensen said the truck was a good deal at $20,000 since such an apparatus would cost $700,000-$800,000 if the town had to buy it new.
In other business, the Wheatland Town Council:
▪ Approved the consent agenda, including the meeting minutes, February vouchers and department reports.
▪ Passed a resolution approving propositions to impose a 1 percent specific purpose tax countywide, if county voters approve the tax question on the Aug. 21 ballot.
▪ Approved first reading of Ordinance 816, adoption of the international codes, supplements and amendments.
The Wheatland Town Council’s next regular meeting is 7 p.m. April 9 at the Town Hall Chambers.