Board vice chairman Eldon Miller went on to add that the tax payers also have no-say about what the fire departments spend tax dollars on, and suggest a need to look at "a new way of doing things."

To answer questions about the new truck, Moyock fire chief Jeff Overman and department member Richard Shaw took the hot seats Monday night for a discussion that commissioner's chairman Ernie Bowden saw fit to add as an agenda item.

Overman explained that Moyock is not looking to increase its fleet, but rather replace a 1991 truck, that is giving them problems, with a larger truck that will also help to reduce the overall amount of equipment the department will have, ultimately from seven pieces to three.

Overman, who said he understood Gregory's point, went on to explain that the department is terminating the lease on the '91 truck, that he said is too small and so requires another vehicle to respond with it. In exchange, the department is leasing a larger 1995 truck, increasing their annual lease payments from $17,402 to $20,940.

Although set up as a lease agreement, Overman explained that at the end of 15 years when the lease is terminated, the department will own the truck, that cost $182,125 new.

He explained that the department has $50,000 in its checking account, that was used in-part to help reduce the department's request to the county.

In addition, Overman said that $26,000 was found in a savings' account that "no one knew about until we took control of the department." That money was used to pay for a pumper for the department that has undergound major personnel changes of late.

When asked about the expense of the lease/purchase arrangement by chairman Bowden, who noted the truck will cose $315,000 by the end of the 15 year lease, Overman explained that the department is already paying $19,000 a year on a loan made for a truck costing $105,000 comparable to the lease/purchase terms.