The town of Marcellus took significant steps toward ownership of the Marcellus fire barn last week during a special meeting Thursday June 24.

The town board approved the purchase and sale agreement to buy the fire barn from the village for the $830,000 that is still owed on the building, a transaction that would essentially move ownership, along with the debt, of the building from the village to the town.

The town would also pay approximately $50,000 in additional fees and expenses, for a total purchase price not to exceed $890,000.

Engine 2 in need of repair

Members of the Marcellus Fire Department were present during the special meeting, but not to protest the transfer of ownership.

First Asst. Chief Jim Rossiter approached the board with a request for $29,710 to refurbish the department’s Engine 2, the body of which is riddled with rust and erosion, he said.

The engine, built in 1997, needs to last the department another seven to eight years.

Unfortunately for Engine 2, the vehicle wouldn’t last that long without extensive body work. And, unfortunately for the fire department, there isn’t an extra $30,000 in the budget for the repairs.

The town board cut the fire department’s budget by $30,000 this year, but department heads hoped the town would be able to fund the truck’s repairs.

Supervisor Dan Ross suggested the department use money from the truck reserve fund — which is to be used to purchase new equipment, not for repairs — until a $75,000 reimbursement from the Empire State Development Corporation was in hand and transferred to the department.

The Marcellus Town Board meets next at 7 p.m. Monday July 12 at town hall.