New fire truck fully funded, cost $442,485

Contributed photo
Members of the Wolf Lake Fire Committee picked up this new fire truck, recently fully assembled, from Midwest Fire in Luverne, Minn., on Friday, Aug. 14. The new unit, fully paid for thanks in large measure to generous donations from the community, was driven in the Wolf Lake Harvest Fest Parade on Saturday, Aug. 15.


By Matthew Johnson

Reporter

The process has literally taken years, but Wolf Lake Fire Chief Brock Anderson and the Wolf Lake Fire Department (WLFD) are pleased to announce the department’s new fire truck has been fully assembled.

The long awaited announcement was made by Chief Anderson during the Tuesday, Aug. 11, regular monthly meeting of the Wolf Lake City Council. Members of the WLFD picked up the new unit Friday, Aug. 14, and even drove it in the Wolf Lake Harvest Fest Parade Saturday, Aug. 15.

The city was still $95,000 short of the truck’s total $442,485 balance in March of 2025, but, thanks to the generosity of the community, firefighters paid what was left of that remaining balance when picking it up from Midwest Fire in Luverne, Minn., on Friday. 

“The truck committee went down and did final inspection and training,” Chief Anderson reported on Saturday just hours before the start of the annual parade.

All involved are pleased that the city does not need a loan to pay off the truck as it is paid in full. The council adopted a resolution during the council meeting accepting a $3,000 donation from Wilma Hanson to the WLFD’s major equipment fund as one of the many generous donations that have been given.

The following public message goes out, from the WLFD and the city, to everyone who has supported the department in acquiring the new fire truck: “Thank you so much for your support!!”

The Wolf Lake Firefighters Relief Association has also donated funds to cover the cost of radio installation for the new unit, as well as for the hoses and nozzle. The council adopted a resolution accepting that donation during the council meeting. 

The WLFD’s old fire truck remains for sale, via closed bids, and anyone interested in putting in a bid can bring it to Wolf Lake City Clerk Becky Lake by 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. That evening, during the council’s monthly meeting, the truck will be awarded to the winning bidder.

Chief Anderson reported that the department responded to four calls for service since the July council meeting, which brings the total for the year to 39. 

In other news

• Reviewed the July liquor store pull tab rent amount, which was just over $2,000.

• Passed a motion to set up a separate United Community Bank bank account for the MN Lottery at the liquor store. Designated signers on the account are Vernette Gilbertson, Katie Lake, City Clerk Becky Lake and Mayor Michelle Suhsen. The motion included opening the account with an initial $500 deposit.

• Passed a motion to pay a plumber to install new sinks at the liquor store.

• Passed a motion to approve the Wolf Lake Shooting Club raffle application. The raffle will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21.

• Discussed the right of entry application, which would grant the Transmission Study Group access to a parcel of city-owned property, with Todd DeLack and Mike Putney. Council also received answers to general questions about the MRC Project.

• Adopted a resolution accepting a $2,000 donation from the Wolf Lake Wolf Pack Baseball Club for Wolf Lake Waterfront Park expenses.

• Adopted a resolution accepting a donation from the Wolf Lake Community Club for Wolf Lake Community Hall expenses.

• Acknowledged that a little free library has now been installed in Wolf Lake.