new $750,000 Meredith fire truck

Yosemite Sam · 11-05-2009, 01:29 PM

The 2007 Census estimate for Meredith, NH was 6616 residents.
If everyone in Meredith went to the Dentist just to have thier teeth cleaned it would cost the town @ $661,600. Then if some of the people needed xrays taken, you can add another $400,000 to that.
Total bill for that year just for general maitenance would be well over 1 million.
Then you have to tack on another million to have someone run the program which would bring the bill up 2 million.

I think you have been hanging around with Obama too much!

I would rather pay a one time charge of $750,000 for a fire truck.

John A. Birdsall · 11-05-2009, 04:03 PM

Well this has always been a subject that gets interesting. For example, when they pull the USS Enterprise out of water they scrap "Her" bottom. and for a long time is the only female that went to sea on ships. So if they pull the mount are they gonna scrape "her" bottom?

However I have never heard of a car, or truck called a her or he.

fatlazyless · 11-05-2009, 06:49 PM

Maybe I'm all wet on this but here goes....whatever.....

Here's a couple of items to consider while thinking about the benefits of a new aerial tower truck and/or a town oral hygene program..

The New Hampshire state legislature is considering a bill, HB 301, that allows dental hygienists to practice independantly without being employed by a dentist.

The five selectmen who voted 5-0 in favor of this extremely expensive truck....they all get town paid health insurance that includes dental.

While driving past the Community Center one sees baby sitting lessons, basketball and such activities posted on the signboard. In my opinion, medical programs using local providers would be money better spent than a $750,000 fire truck.

Ya know, if the town can afford "Cadillac" health insurance for its' employees, teachers, police & selectmen then why not some low level medical programs for the residents? Can't hurt to give it a try....and start with basic oral hygene.....you know....brushing, flossing, bleeding gums, plaque....and all that good stuff.... a check-up clinic.....

After all.....who pays the property tax that pays for their health & dental insurance?

Do you have dental insurance?

Kamper · 11-05-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Maybe I'm all wet on this ... ?

I believe the correct term is "off topic."

I have had dental problems so believe me, I am not making fun of those who need help in that area. The fire truck will have no impact on the local dental health but it will provide flexibility and greater capabilities in the town's response to fire emergencies.

The state's regulation of dental hygenists has no impact on local budget issues. A government's fiscal priorities change form year to year. Partly in response to which need has been ignored the longest and partly due to when and how loud the voters expres their opinion. This is more noticable at the local level.

If dental is really your passion then all I can say is... Better luck next time!

Heaven · 11-05-2009, 08:24 PM

When times are good, we hear "municipal salaries are only 60% of private salaries, but they get good benefits so they don't deserve a raise!" and as soon as the economy turns we hear "the town employees have "Cadillac" benefits that we should cut!" . . . . can't win for losing . . .

Coolbreeze · 11-05-2009, 10:09 PM

Nobody is ever 100% happy with anything...it's the American way!

Happy Gourmand · 11-06-2009, 07:51 AM

FLL.....sounds like you need to get a town job!!

SIKSUKR · 11-06-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

FLL.....sounds like you need to get a town job!!

Ya,they must need a vice president in charge of push-ups.

NoBozo · 11-06-2009, 11:24 AM

If everyone who drinks "Bottled Water" were to switch over to "Tap Water" they would get FLUORIDE and their teeth wouldn't ROT. Just sayin..

I actually have a reusable water bottle with the Politically Correct..AND SHEIK label on it so everyone can see that I'm in touch. I replenish the water from the Tap. NB

PS: I'm 68 and I still have my own teeth.

jmen24 · 11-06-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoBozo

If everyone who drinks "Bottled Water" were to switch over to "Tap Water" they would get FLUORIDE and their teeth wouldn't ROT. Just sayin..

I actually have a reusable water bottle with the Politically Correct..AND SHEIK label on it so everyone can see that I'm in touch. I replenish the water from the Tap. NB

PS: I'm 68 and I still have my own teeth.

Only if you are on city water.

Heaven · 11-06-2009, 11:37 AM

Yea, and next time I go to buy a car , or home owners insurance, or grocerys for that matter, I want the cost of the company's health and dental insurance deducted from the price.

wifi · 11-06-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoBozo

....they would get FLUORIDE and their teeth wouldn't ROT.....

Be careful of fluoride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4XhhTF7vRM

NoBozo · 11-06-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wifi

Be careful of fluoride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4XhhTF7vRM

Precious Bodily Fluids: Totally Off Topic...However..

That movie was one of my all time favorites. I remember that guy with the cowboy hat...was it Slim Pickens.? .... Flying out of the bomb bay of that B-52 straddling a nuke bomb. Fire In The Hole...YEE Hah..Those were the days.

NB

scubajay1153 · 11-06-2009, 01:37 PM

A fire rages around your chimney burning thru the roof of your 2.5 story home that is 35 feet high to the peak and it 45 feet back from the road. Your trees prevent the large fire apparatus from driving in close to the scene and your nice new metal roof precludes the use of standard fire service ground ladders for access. Any guess how long of a reach it is for the tower to get to your chimney? (Thats right, a minimum of 80 feet of aerial ladder) Any guess how much safer it is to work from the platform to open the roof to get at the fire than to teeter on ladders (on a wintery metal roof to boot)? Any guess how long it takes to take those same hand thrown ground ladders and move them from window to window on different floors and on different sides of the building rescuing one screaming guest at a time from the hotel? Wanna guess how much easier it is (and how much SAFER) to move from window to window with the bucket and "pick off" those people in groups of 3, 4, or 5 before sending them down the ladder in care of a firefighter, or even better, lowering them directly to the ground?

I am not a Meredith FF nor a Meredith town resident. I am a professional firefighter who, like everyone else in the region, works in a department that does the most it can with the manpower and equipment we have. This truck bought by the town was bought FOR it's residents, tax payers and their property and more importantly their SAFETY. We have a tough job. We still do it, and believe me it is NOT for the "Cadillac" benefits packages. Most of us don't have dental and surely not the top notch insurances. The best thing anyone can do in this instance is to go to the Fire Station, knock on the door and ASK the fire chief and his members about the department, the job, and the new truck and how it affects things. It is their responsibility to inform and educate you and it's your right to know. Ask them, most of us love to talk about our jobs and how it affects the community. You might just walk away richer for the experience.

brk-lnt · 11-06-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubajay1153

A fire rages around your chimney burning thru the roof of your 2.5 story home that is 35 feet high to the peak and it 45 feet back from the road.

It's nice of you (and everyone else) to offer some descriptions/justifications of the 100' ladder truck. I don't think any of the normal and rational people here ever called the purchase into question though. You're basically tilting at windmills trying to argue with people comparing fire trucks to dental plans.

Just use the "ignore" feature and move on...

ITD · 11-06-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

It's nice of you (and everyone else) to offer some descriptions/justifications of the 100' ladder truck. I don't think any of the normal and rational people here ever called the purchase into question though. You're basically tilting at windmills trying to argue with people comparing fire trucks to dental plans.

Just use the "ignore" feature and move on...

Maybe a certain person just found out he has gingivitis?

Rattlesnake Guy · 11-06-2009, 06:56 PM

Let it go the first time but can't again

750,000 at 5% interest for 20 years = $60,000 per year.

If they put all of the money into your mouth and didn't buy a truck...

$60,000 / 6617 residents = $9.06 dental benefit per year.

Don't forget to hire someone to administer.

I don't think you can read the magazines in the dentist office for 9 bucks a year.

boat_guy64 · 11-06-2009, 07:50 PM

FLL,

You can get FREE, yes FREE dental cleanings at the Concord campus of NHTI. They have a dental hygiene program and have students that need clinical patients on a daily basis. You can get your teeth cleaned for free and Meredith still gets their ladder truck. You also help a student get clinical experience. What a deal.

My wife graduated from the program and they were always looking for patients.

Coolbreeze · 11-06-2009, 09:17 PM

FLL,
You could do the town a favor and dress up as Santa for the town parade and you might even be allowed to ride in the bucket of the new truck during the parade. And don't worry about your halitosis, it will be drowned out by the smell of the moth balls from storing the Santa suit.
Cheers!

11-05-2009, 04:03 PM	#2
John A. Birdsall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 599 Thanks: 27 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	is it a he or a she? Well this has always been a subject that gets interesting. For example, when they pull the USS Enterprise out of water they scrap "Her" bottom. and for a long time is the only female that went to sea on ships. So if they pull the mount are they gonna scrape "her" bottom? However I have never heard of a car, or truck called a her or he.

11-05-2009, 06:49 PM	#3
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,755 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,010 Times in 736 Posts	Maybe I'm all wet on this but here goes....whatever..... Here's a couple of items to consider while thinking about the benefits of a new aerial tower truck and/or a town oral hygene program.. The New Hampshire state legislature is considering a bill, HB 301, that allows dental hygienists to practice independantly without being employed by a dentist. The five selectmen who voted 5-0 in favor of this extremely expensive truck....they all get town paid health insurance that includes dental. While driving past the Community Center one sees baby sitting lessons, basketball and such activities posted on the signboard. In my opinion, medical programs using local providers would be money better spent than a $750,000 fire truck. Ya know, if the town can afford "Cadillac" health insurance for its' employees, teachers, police & selectmen then why not some low level medical programs for the residents? Can't hurt to give it a try....and start with basic oral hygene.....you know....brushing, flossing, bleeding gums, plaque....and all that good stuff.... a check-up clinic..... After all.....who pays the property tax that pays for their health & dental insurance? Do you have dental insurance? __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake! Last edited by fatlazyless; 11-05-2009 at 07:59 PM.

11-06-2009, 07:51 AM	#7
Happy Gourmand Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ruskin FL Posts: 1,027 Thanks: 188 Thanked 322 Times in 179 Posts	750K Fire Truck FLL.....sounds like you need to get a town job!!

11-06-2009, 01:37 PM	#14
scubajay1153 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gilford Posts: 93 Thanks: 2 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Ugh. A fire rages around your chimney burning thru the roof of your 2.5 story home that is 35 feet high to the peak and it 45 feet back from the road. Your trees prevent the large fire apparatus from driving in close to the scene and your nice new metal roof precludes the use of standard fire service ground ladders for access. Any guess how long of a reach it is for the tower to get to your chimney? (Thats right, a minimum of 80 feet of aerial ladder) Any guess how much safer it is to work from the platform to open the roof to get at the fire than to teeter on ladders (on a wintery metal roof to boot)? Any guess how long it takes to take those same hand thrown ground ladders and move them from window to window on different floors and on different sides of the building rescuing one screaming guest at a time from the hotel? Wanna guess how much easier it is (and how much SAFER) to move from window to window with the bucket and "pick off" those people in groups of 3, 4, or 5 before sending them down the ladder in care of a firefighter, or even better, lowering them directly to the ground? I am not a Meredith FF nor a Meredith town resident. I am a professional firefighter who, like everyone else in the region, works in a department that does the most it can with the manpower and equipment we have. This truck bought by the town was bought FOR it's residents, tax payers and their property and more importantly their SAFETY. We have a tough job. We still do it, and believe me it is NOT for the "Cadillac" benefits packages. Most of us don't have dental and surely not the top notch insurances. The best thing anyone can do in this instance is to go to the Fire Station, knock on the door and ASK the fire chief and his members about the department, the job, and the new truck and how it affects things. It is their responsibility to inform and educate you and it's your right to know. Ask them, most of us love to talk about our jobs and how it affects the community. You might just walk away richer for the experience.

11-06-2009, 06:56 PM	#17
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Dental Care Let it go the first time but can't again 750,000 at 5% interest for 20 years = $60,000 per year. If they put all of the money into your mouth and didn't buy a truck... $60,000 / 6617 residents = $9.06 dental benefit per year. Don't forget to hire someone to administer. I don't think you can read the magazines in the dentist office for 9 bucks a year.

11-05-2009, 01:29 PM	#1
Yosemite Sam Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 395 Thanks: 81 Thanked 95 Times in 56 Posts	The 2007 Census estimate for Meredith, NH was 6616 residents. If everyone in Meredith went to the Dentist just to have thier teeth cleaned it would cost the town @ $661,600. Then if some of the people needed xrays taken, you can add another $400,000 to that. Total bill for that year just for general maitenance would be well over 1 million. Then you have to tack on another million to have someone run the program which would bring the bill up 2 million. I think you have been hanging around with Obama too much! I would rather pay a one time charge of $750,000 for a fire truck.

11-05-2009, 08:24 PM	#5
Heaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 523 Thanks: 128 Thanked 95 Times in 67 Posts	When times are good, we hear "municipal salaries are only 60% of private salaries, but they get good benefits so they don't deserve a raise!" and as soon as the economy turns we hear "the town employees have "Cadillac" benefits that we should cut!" . . . . can't win for losing . . .

11-05-2009, 10:09 PM	#6
Coolbreeze Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 332 Thanks: 0 Thanked 51 Times in 26 Posts	Nobody is ever 100% happy with anything...it's the American way!

11-06-2009, 11:24 AM	#9
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	If everyone who drinks "Bottled Water" were to switch over to "Tap Water" they would get FLUORIDE and their teeth wouldn't ROT. Just sayin.. I actually have a reusable water bottle with the Politically Correct..AND SHEIK label on it so everyone can see that I'm in touch. I replenish the water from the Tap. NB PS: I'm 68 and I still have my own teeth.

11-06-2009, 11:37 AM	#11
Heaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 523 Thanks: 128 Thanked 95 Times in 67 Posts	Yea, and next time I go to buy a car , or home owners insurance, or grocerys for that matter, I want the cost of the company's health and dental insurance deducted from the price.

11-06-2009, 07:50 PM	#18
boat_guy64 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Windham and Meredith Posts: 225 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 33 Thanked 89 Times in 42 Posts	Free Dental Cleanings FLL, You can get FREE, yes FREE dental cleanings at the Concord campus of NHTI. They have a dental hygiene program and have students that need clinical patients on a daily basis. You can get your teeth cleaned for free and Meredith still gets their ladder truck. You also help a student get clinical experience. What a deal. My wife graduated from the program and they were always looking for patients.

11-06-2009, 09:17 PM	#19
Coolbreeze Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 332 Thanks: 0 Thanked 51 Times in 26 Posts	FLL, You could do the town a favor and dress up as Santa for the town parade and you might even be allowed to ride in the bucket of the new truck during the parade. And don't worry about your halitosis, it will be drowned out by the smell of the moth balls from storing the Santa suit. Cheers!