(LAGRANGE) - As the price of new firefighting equipment goes up it is putting a squeeze on small volunteer fire departments.

That was part of the message Howe Fire Chief Larry Watson brought to the Major Moves Committee on Monday. ...... {LISTEN}.

Watson came to ask for a grant of $100,000 in Major Moves Funds to go with the money the department has accumulated towards a new truck. ...... {LISTEN}.

Under law, Townships can only borrow money for six years. With the money from their funds and possibly $100,000 from Major Moves, Watson says they would only have to borrow $150,000 for six years.

County Councilman Jeff Brill made a motion to recommend a grant, but that motion died for lack of a second. Fellow councilman Steve McKowen and Commissioner Dennis Kratz preferred a loan from Major Moves rather than a grant, though it’s unclear how the department could repay a Major Moves loan and other borrowing at the same time.

The recommendation goes to the County Council and Commissioners.
It takes 8 out of 10 votes of the combined boards to authorize Major Moves spending.