HOQUIAM, Wash. (AP) — After this coastal city’s 1979 ladder truck finally broke down a few years ago, firefighters have continued their duties by using hand ladders that only reach a couple of stories up.

Without the cash to buy a proper replacement truck, Hoquiam officials went to the ballot earlier this year with a levy proposal totaling $1.2 million. Voters in the town of 8,700 had previously rejected such a plan, but this time agreed to bear the cost of a new truck over the next 20 years.