CHUBBUCK — The controversy over the cost of having firemen travel to Florida and drive a new water tender truck back to Chubbuck’s Fire Department flared up again at Tuesday’s regular council meeting.

    A heated discussion ensued between Chubbuck Mayor Steve England and Councilman Brent Marshal. Mayor England said he found himself getting angry as accusations about the conduct of the city and its firemen swirled. The continued controversy led  the council to set a special meeting today at 2 p.m. It will be closed to the public because city personnel matters will be discussed.

    Mayor England said the council wants to talk to the firemen involved in the trip to Florida — “The length of time it took and the trip itself.” The mayor said he also regretted the heated exchange at Tuesday’s meeting.

    “I called and apologized for losing my cool,” England said about subsequent contact he made with Marshal. The cost of the Pierce water tender, $238,781, initially generated several concerns from city residents and Marshal back in December. Purchase of a water tender became necessary after the existing truck used by the fire department was totaled in a rollover accident on its way to a fire a month earlier.

    That concern became a firestorm, including accusations of fraud and waste, when the city spent $12,200 to have firemen go pick up the truck instead of having it delivered for $5,820.

    “We would have done it differently,” England said about the decision to send members of the department to go get the truck. “We should have checked it all they way through.”

    The mayor said the city didn’t carefully check the agreement involving time considered “on the job” with the firemen’s union before sending two men to Florida.

    Councilman Marshal said when he reiterated his concerns about the big cost overrun for delivery of the fire truck last Tuesday, the conversation did get heated.

    “There’s just too many unanswered questions,” Marshal said. “I had concerns from people in the community over what took place.” Marshal said he’s hoping to get those answers at today’s special executive session with the firemen who made the trip to Florida and Chubbuck Fire Chief Eric King. England said, “I anticipate this will be an informational meeting.” The mayor also said if the council deems some form of disciplinary action is necessary, it will delay consideration of those actions until the next regular Chubbuck City Council meeting in April.

    “I just want to know are the departments taking care of our money,” Marshal said. “I’m not trying to jeopardize anyone’s situation.” Idaho law allows government bodies to call executive sessions to discuss personnel matters.