QUINNESEC — Breitung Township will seek bids on a new tanker truck after the township board heard Monday from Fire Chief Jim Rose about costs and availability.

The board had requested the fire department include used trucks in the search. But Rose reported few used models were on the market and most were too old or did not meet the fire department’s needs and specifications.

Rose received two proposals for a new truck: Pierce Manufacturing of Appleton, Wis., for $598,522; and Midwest Fire of Luverne, Minn., for $495,000. Pierce Manufacturing was also willing to deduct $15,000 from the price if paid in full up front.

While the township planned to take delivery of a new fire truck in 2026, Rose said it is critical to finalize a deal soon to have manufacturing start before the end of 2025 because new emission controls standards take effect in January that could possibly cause engine issues.

Trustee Ben Peterson asked why the fire department was getting price quotes versus the sealed bidding process. He noted the township had waived the sealed bidding process on a previous fire truck purchase to beat new emission controls and he was against doing it again.

Peterson also questioned whether a four-person cab was needed. Rose said on mutual assistance calls the one truck could respond with a crew of four.

Superintendent Steve Mulka said the four-person cab would allow the fire department to store gear in the cab so firefighters could get ready on the way to the call, plus crews could warm up and recover in the cab during winter calls.

Supervisor Denny Olson noted nothing had been formally brought before the board for approval.

The board approved Trustee Brent Johnson’s motion to receive sealed bids on both four- and two-person cab options. The bids are due in two weeks and will be brought to the next board meeting.

In other business, the board:

— Accepted a $280,278.84 bid from Bacco Construction for the Breen Avenue resurfacing project. A request for proposals for the multi-use path along Breen Avenue will be sent out this week.

— Agreed to have a public meeting at 6 p.m. June 9 on potential capital improvements ahead of sending out a survey. Board members all agreed that without the meeting, residents might assume any improvement would mean a tax increase and disagree with all of the options on the survey.

— Heard Mindy Meyers of the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance provide an update on the organization. Highlights included encouraging housing development, small business retention, government relations and education initiatives in local schools.