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During a regular, Jan. 8 meeting of the Milton Township Board of Trustees, fire chief Phil Sarasin said two firefighters were in Iowa to pick up the two vehicles, which are 2006 Ford 550 Toyne fire trucks.

At the meeting, the board voted, 4-0, to "proceed to close on the installment purchase" of the trucks and equipment, which cost $390,117. Trustee Brett Pharo, also a firefighter, abstained from voting.

The township had about $250,000 saved for the trucks' purchase, and the Monday vote approved an installment promissory note with Alden State Bank to cover the difference.

Sarasin said the trucks will be out of service for a few months while training and outfitting occurs.

The board agreed in May to accept a bid from Toyne on the trucks, opting to buy both at the same time at a cost savings of more than $14,000.

In a letter to the township board in May, the Milton Township Fire Department said it wanted like to replace the 9950 and 9951 trucks.

"They have served the township well but are getting old and don't have the capability to meet the growing needs of our rapidly growing township as well as the proposed replacement trucks," the letter states. Sarasin said at the time there were problems getting parts to replace the old trucks, which were from 1974 and 1978.

He said it's "cheaper in the long run to replace them both now."

One of the trucks, No. 9950, has been placed on eBay for auction. The 1975 Pierce International Mini- Pumper, which is being sold as-is with brake problems, has seen about 1,000 hits, Sarasin said. The auction ends Friday, Jan 12.

Sarasin also told the board that two firefighters are entering Firefighter 2 training.

The department is also planning its annual banquet later this month. At the dinner, the Milton Township Firefighter of the Year will be announced.