Roanoke Rapids City Council moved forward Tuesday with the purchase of a new fire truck.

City Manager Kelly Traynham said the contract has been signed.

Council adopted a budget amendment for $580,725 to buy the 2024 E-One Typhoon pumper.

Roanoke Rapids Fire Department Chief Jason Patrick said it will be about 19 months before the truck is delivered. “It could vary depending on the supply chain. They have to get the materials to put the truck together.”

Patrick said, “We’ve been needing this truck a long time. It will definitely help with the current fleet but at some point we have to do something with 142. But it will fill the void of being down a truck for the past 10 years. We’re very appreciative of the council allowing us to go forward with this.”

Patrick previously said the fire department has studied the equipment needs of the new truck in detail with Assistant Chief Richard Cook leading the committee.

The equipment for the truck is estimated to cost between $125,000 to $150,000.

In another matter the council adopted a resolution of a joint cooperation agreement for establishing the Choanoke Area Housing Consortium under the federal Home Investment Partnerships Program.

Halifax County commissioners Monday approved a similar resolution.

In a May 25 letter to consortium members, Halifax County Assistant County Manager Christina Wells said the body consists of Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, Martin and Northampton counties along with the 38 municipalities within the counties.

“ … The amount of funding that may be received has increased from earlier estimates,” Wells said in the letter.

The consortium may be eligible to receive more than $733,850 annually. “While this figure is still a preliminary estimate within a range of (plus or minus) $6,000, it represents a significant increase of funding and greatly reduces the first-year gap match that must be provided by the … members.”