Minto council should be "fairly concerned" about the current condition of its fire department's sole aerial fire truck.
That's according to a recent update from Minto Fire Chief Chris Harrow at a Minto council meeting Tuesday afternoon, during which Deputy Mayor Jean Anderson questioned how councillors should feel about the "constant repair" of the Minto Fire Department's aerial fire truck reported in 2025.
"We keep putting it back together," responded Harrow.
Elaborating, Harrow said the fire department is currently working with the joint local fire committee and CAO Gregg Furtney to figure out a replacement plan for the 22-year-old truck.
Aerial fire trucks are equipped with extendable ladders or platforms, which allow firefighters to respond to fires in areas that are otherwise inaccessible, like apartment buildings.
The biggest issue is the cost, said Harrow. Included in Minto's 2026 capital budget, purchasing another aerial truck is anticipated to cost just over $3 million.
Also included in the 2026 budget was the replacement of the department's five-person tanker truck, which is anticipated to cost approximately $1.1 million.
"So we're trying to figure out how big the money tree is to shake it for that," said Harrow.
Going forward, Harrow said a report is anticipated to come to council in the next few months detailing a replacement plan and how many trucks the department will need to purchase over the next five to six years, as well as how they can be grouped "to see some savings."
Minto Fire responded to 240 calls in 2025.