Norwich – The City Council agreed Monday to send a proposed $3.2 million bond ordinance to purchase five new firetrucks to the voters after hearing from four volunteer fire chiefs about their struggles to keep their 30-year-old trucks on the road.

The bond would purchase an engine tanker for East Great Plain Volunteer Fire Department, a rescue pumper and a large squad vehicle for the Taftville Volunteer Fire Department, and one pumper each for the Yantic and Laurel Hill volunteer departments.

During a public hearing on the proposed ordinance, chiefs from the four departments urged the council to support the bond, recounting safety and mechanical problems with aging vehicles.

Taftville firefighter Richard Benoit said he was asked in 1977 to help design a rescue truck for the department.

“We're still using it,” he said, “and it's past its time.”

The issue became political during City Council discussion. Alderman William Nash, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, said he agreed with critics who said the city is acting “in crisis mode.” But over the years, city officials have tried each year to set aside money in the budget for firetruck purchases. Every year that money gets cut, Nash said, leaving the city with fire equipment that is 30 to 40 years old.

Democratic Alderman H. Tucker Braddock, a mayoral candidate, said he too favored an initial plan this spring to place $1.2 million in the budget for firetrucks, but Braddock said the Republican-controlled council instead favored cutting taxes immediately and moving the firetruck purchases into a bond ordinance.

Mayor Deberey Hinchey, who is not seeking re-election, also objected to a bond ordinance for firetrucks after budget cuts that eliminated several city positions.

Despite the objections, the council voted 6-1 with only Hinchey voting against forwarding the ordinance to voters for a referendum. Braddock said he is “excited” to see the proposal go to the voters and looks forward to their answer.

c.bessette@theday.com