There’s planning ahead. And then there’s really planning ahead.
The McCook Village Board did the latter and expects to save loads of money in the process.
At its Feb. 18 meeting, the board unanimously approved spending $1.4 million for a new fire engine. The savings will be considerable, Mayor Terrance Carr said, by locking in a price now.
But don’t expect to see the new engine in the Fourth of July parade in Lyons this year, next year or even in 2027.
This fire engine won’t be delivered to the McCook Fire House until 2028. And that’s okay with Carr.
“It takes a while to make it. So, we lock the price in now and get it in 2028,” Carr said during the meeting.
After the meeting, he said it makes fiscal sense to order the fire engine now.
“We’re saving money. Prices increase about 9 percent every year,” he said. “It would cost like $2 million if we waited.”
One reason for the delay is MacQueen Equipment LLC, based in Appleton, Wis., is swamped with orders, said a salesman who requested anonymity.
He also said the company has had trouble finding skilled tradesmen for welding and other duties.
“Nobody wants to work,” he said of trades jobs that start at $35 an hour.
“You want a job sweeping floors? Pays $25 an hour,” he added.
The three-year wait is okay with Carr, who loves the idea of saving money.
The village’s current fire engine will be 25 years old in 2028 and ready for replacing by then, he said.
“We’re just thinking ahead,” Carr said. “We’re just being proactive.”
The new fire engine will be painted black with red and gold highlights. The fire department marks its 100th anniversary in 2026.
Fire Chief Dave DeLeshe thanked the board for the purchase.
“On behalf of the guys, thank you very much. This department has completely flipped in the last couple of years under your direction,” DeLeshe said. “We appreciate it.”
In a playful mood, Mayor Carr replied, “Mark my words, nothing else back there until 2030.”
In other business, the board approved another licensing agreement with Pepsi Co. Beverage Sales for The MAC, which has been a Pepsi – no Coke – venue for years.
The village gets a $2 break for every case of Pepsi product purchased, Carr said. The deal runs until January 2030, he said.
“It’s a great deal,” said Madison Martino, director of operations for The MAC. “We’ve worked with them for years.”
And, there could be new street lights coming to the village as the board unanimously approved applying for a Cook County Community Development Block Grant.
If approved by the county, it could free up $100,000 for a project to install new street lights on residential blocks in the village, Carr said.
“The project will be completed in 2026 if approved,” said Carr, who expects the village will spend $100,000 for its share of the project.
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