The Wells Board of Selectmen heard an ISO (Insurance Services Office) evaluation update from fire department leadership showing notable improvement in the town's public protection classification and then approved a long‑lead purchase of a replacement Class A pumper engine.

The fire department representative said the town's ISO score increased from 62 to 73.8 (out of a perfect 105.5), improving Wells' classification. "Wells received 73.8. And before that, we were at 62," the chief said, citing stronger staffing, apparatus deployment, enhanced training, annual waterflow testing, new cisterns and ponds and improved fire‑prevention (community risk reduction) work.

The department explained the classification is split (3/3Y) because the ISO score differs inside pressured hydrant service and areas beyond 1,000 feet from hydrants that rely on tanker (tender) water supply; the town's two tanker tenders help maintain coverage for more remote areas.

Separately the board reviewed and voted to approve a lease‑purchase contract to secure a Pierce Manufacturing Class A pumper. Staff described a lead time of roughly 36 to 56 months for manufacture and noted vendor program incentives for an upfront payment. The total contract price shown in the packet was $1,366,882. The board approved a financing option that uses a $400,000 down payment and a seven‑year payment schedule with payments to begin in October 2027. One selectman recommended the $400,000 down payment option to minimize interest costs while keeping the town's apparatus replacement plan on schedule; finance staff confirmed that a current apparatus replacement reserve could cover the down payment.

A motion to approve the lease‑purchase for a Pierce Class A pumper at a total cost of $1,366,882 with a $400,000 down payment and a seven‑year payment schedule (payments to begin in October 2027) passed 5-0.