When Engine 1 rolled into the Clarksburg firehouse in 1980, it was the cream of the crop.

Nothing lasts forever and after 38 years of responding to hundreds of fires and incidents, the old fire truck is in serious need of replacement.

The projected cost of a new truck is $405,000 in fiscal 2020 —The price, not surprisingly, gave the board pause and Select Board member Karin Robert asked if grants were available. Chesbro said yes, but they're hard to come by.

Clarksburg is only one of more than 19,000 fire departments across the country vying for funding through the federal Assistance to Firefighters grant program.

Town Administrator Carl McKinney said he could reach out to U.S. Rep. Richard Neal's office for help.

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