The Vestal Fire Department is back to crunching numbers after residents denied the town’s request to borrow money for a new rescue fire truck. On Tuesday, Vestal residents voted down a chance to allow the volunteer fire department to borrow $800,000 to replace a 27-year-old truck. A total of 371 votes were cast; the measure lost by just seven votes. Fire Chief Pat McPherson said Wednesday they will reevaluate what’s needed for the new rescue truck. Then, they’ll present a more precise cost to the public. Despite the outcome, McPherson says the need doesn’t change. He says the truck is so unreliable, emergency response times could be affected. McPherson hopes the department will have a new truck in two months. It’s not known when the issue will be presented again to voters.
