A replacement for a Smithfield Fire Department rescue truck is expected in the spring, following the town council's recent vote to approve a $200,000 bid.

The previous truck "became inoperable" in late September after logging more than 180,000 miles, according to Town Manager Dennis Finley. Since then, the local department has been sharing one of Johnston's new rescues, purchased earlier this year.

Fire Chief Robert Seltzer said in an email message that the new rescue truck, a 2013 Ford 450, will be provided by New England Fire Equipment & Apparatus Corp. of North Haven, CT, and should be delivered "in April or May."

The money for the new rescue is being paid out of a fire department account funded by payments from healthcare companies, and won't add to the town's tax rate.