New Carlisle’s volunteer fire department might get $1 million from the county to buy a ladder truck.
The truck would serve the industrial area that is being developed by St. Joseph County officials to the east of town. The South Bend Tribune reports the truck is needed as the department struggles with manpower and equipment problems that make serving the new area difficult.
The county has already invested millions of dollars to buy land in between Indiana 2 and U.S. 20 on the northwestern edge of town, along with investing millions more in sewer and water infrastructure.
If the county approves the purchase, funds from the area’s tax increment finance district would be used to buy the truck, which would also replace one that broke down about a year ago.
Meanwhile, the expected business boom the county hopes happens is forcing the New Carlisle Town Council to decide on whether to launch a joint fire territory with neighboring Olive Township, along with Hudson Township in LaPorte County.
