Washington Township Advisory Board members may be asked to consider taking out a loan for a new fire truck at their Thursday, Feb. 18, meeting.

Brown County (Nashville) Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dak Kelp said the loan is to allow for the purchase of a new rescue truck, bigger than the current Rescue 16 and smaller than an engine, with the capabilities of both.

The estimated cost of it is $390,000.

Washington Township Trustee Brandon Magner said the new truck would help prolong the life of the department’s two engines.

This truck would also replace Rescue 16, which was bought new around 2012. It’s been used on nearly every fire run and has been having frequent engine problems, Kelp said.

Magner said Feb. 11 he didn’t yet know how much money the township would need to borrow. The loan amount depends on how much of the $80,000 cumulative fund balance they intend to apply toward this purchase, the interest rate and other factors, he said.

He said the intent is that the loan will result in no new taxes on township residents, but he said he doesn’t yet know if that’s possible.

The department is selling its Engine 11 to Fruitdale, and the plan is to apply the proceeds of that sale and the sale of Rescue 16 to this new purchase, Magner said.

Magner added that the loan discussion and purchase are dependent on the BCFVD being able to provide service to the township at least through 2016.

Five firefighters decided to leave the department last week for a variety of reasons, leaving six active members; Kelp said he plans to stay until the end of the year.

If the township board approves the purchase, this would be the second new truck to be added to the BCVFD’s fleet this winter.

With its cumulative fire fund, the Nashville Town Council assisted the department in buying a ladder truck in December — the township’s first truck tall enough to reach a three-story building.

The 1995 aerial truck with a 75-foot ladder, designed for both rescues and firefighting, was delivered from Texas Jan. 17. It’s getting minor repairs and decals before being put into service. It will be dedicated at an open house between 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday, March 12 at the station.

What: Washington Township Advisory Board meeting to consider purchase of fire truck

When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18

Where: Washington Township trustee’s office, 231 E. Main St. in the fire station