NORWICH – The Norwich City Fire Department received its brand new Sutphen Fire Engine last week, which will now serve as the department’s primary fire response vehicle.

The City of Norwich Common Council approved the purchase of the $314,749 fire engine at its Dec. 16 meeting last year.

The council voted unanimously in favor of accepting the bid for the fire engine, receiving a low, 2 percent interest loan for $225,000 and using capital reserves funds to cover the other $90,000.

According to Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo, the new truck, manufactured by the Sutphen Corporation, will replace two others at the department.

One of the trucks being replaced is no longer in service and the other is the department’s most heavily-used fire vehicle, the number 234 LaFrance engine which has required extensive repairs over the years.

Department of Public Works Supervisor Carl Ivarson said the truck has required $48,000 in maintenance since 2003, and over $6,000 of those repairs were made in 2008.