Hoquiam needs a new fire engine, and residents will vote on a 15-year bond to pay for one.

The City Council Monday unanimously approved putting the bond measure on the November general election ballot. The bond amount will be $875,000, the amount needed to purchase a properly outfitted rig as determined by a study of costs from recent purchases in Aberdeen and elsewhere.

Assistant Fire Chief Rich Malizia once again told the council about the dire need for a new engine, something he’s been calling for during his tenure with the department.

“This has been on the table for eight years, it’s not out of the blue,” he said. “They are falling apart. It’s time.”

The new engine, if approved by voters, would replace a 1989 model, which Malizia said currently has a broken transfer valve that’s basically been glued together. And in the past month, he’s hearing from the department that the 1996 engine is having significant mechanical issues of its own.

According to Finance Director Corri Schmid, the city is currently paying the remaining five to seven years on its ladder truck. The city is also paying off its most recent ambulance purchase, which should be completed in the next year or two.

“The expected life span on that equipment is 15 to 20 years so this is well past due,” said Ward 2 Councilman Steven Puvogel. He further explained the 15-year bond will add another $15 to $18 annually to a resident’s property taxes per $100,000 in assessed value.

“If you look at this it is a really reasonable thing to ask for,” said Puvogel. “It will keep our fire insurance ratings good in the city, and it’s important we get this done today so we can get it on the November ballot, the lowest cost to the city.”

After the council unanimously approved the measure, Mayor Ben Winkelman said, “We’ll leave it up to the voters now.”