By Sara QuamThe city of Luverne is considering purchasing a new fire truck that will keep its insurance rates stable and include a ladder that now can reach the highest building in town.The potential new truck is actually a used 1985 truck from Maple Grove that would replace the 1957 model for $100,000.The old truck didn’t have a water pump and its ladder couldn’t be used because of safety violations. It was basically used as a ground ladder carrier.The new truck has a ladder that will reach Luverne’s tallest building, Blue Mound Tower. It also has a six-person cab, 1,500-gallon pump, an intercom system, and it pumps air and water to the platform.First Assistant Chief Tim Anderson said, "Basically, it’s a cherry of a truck." He saw the truck in person and got copies of all maintenance records.Chief Don Deutsch said, "This also has to do with maintaining our Insurance Service Organization rating." The ISO rating helps determine how fire departments are charged for insurance.A similar new truck would cost $800,000.The city may borrow the money from the refuse fund and pay it back over five years, if it decides to purchase the new truck.
