Patterson board approves use of fire-department truck reserves to pay for ladder truck

The Patterson Town Board on Aug. 26 approved a pair of motions supporting the fire department's plan to use its truck-replacement reserves to pay off a new ladder truck and to endorse the department's replacement strategy.

Clerk read a written summary from the Patterson Fire Department treasurer showing the department held $2,300,121.41 in truck-designated reserves. "As of July 2026, the Patterson Fire Department held $2,300,121.41 in truck designated reserves," the clerk reported, adding the reserves include roughly $1.13 million in the truck fund and about $1.17 million in a truck fund CD. Vice president of the department Jay Lehi told the board that using those reserves would avoid the "estimated interest" and substantial annual debt service that borrowing would require; Lehi described the reserve-based purchase as the "most responsible" option for taxpayers.

Board members discussed alternatives, including borrowing and pursuing grants to offset costs. After a motion to "approve and support the plan" and a second, the board approved the support motion by voice vote. The board then voted to "authorize the use of the truck replacement fund for paying off the balance of the ladder truck," a motion that was seconded and approved by voice vote. The clerk recorded the actions; no formal roll-call vote totals were provided in the transcript.