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Rangeley approves $25,214.50 transfer to buy used military-spec rescue boat
Summary
The Select Board authorized a transfer from the fire-department reserve to purchase a 22-foot ex-military shallow-draft rescue boat; board members debated trade-offs between buying used and buying new and set next steps for training and surplus of the old vessel.
The Rangeley Select Board voted to transfer $25,214.50 from the fire department reserve to purchase a used 22-foot military-spec rescue boat for the department.
The request came from the fire department’s representative, identified in the meeting as Sam (fire department chief), who told the board the boat is a military-built shallow-draft Willard with twin rebuilt 130-horsepower motors, a reinforced hull and radio equipment that could be adapted to the town’s systems. “It was designed for shallow draft, search and rescue operations,” Sam said. He said the seller reduced the price because navigation electronics had been removed and that the town could install its own units.
Board members questioned long-term maintenance, compatibility with local freshwater use and alternatives. Mark (Select Board member) and others urged caution about saltwater‑exposed hulls and storage costs; Sam said the marina told the department the boat had been “gutted and rebuilt” and the motors were suitable for local servicing. Keith (Select Board member) asked for more comparables and noted the cost-benefit trade-off of buying a new vessel with a warranty versus a used one.
The board voted to transfer the requested funds from the fire department reserve; the motion was made by Jim (Select Board member) and was approved by the board as recorded in the meeting minutes. The board also recorded the department’s plan to: (1) place the current Marine 1 on surplus immediately (the chief requested permission to surplus that vessel), (2) test the newly acquired boat in the water for training before final outfitting, and (3) wrap and letter the new boat and install marine radios and lights (Sam estimated lettering and lights would cost under $500).
Sam told the board the department plans to try the boat in the water for training for two weeks before final modifications and noted the purchase is “as is” with no warranty. He also told the board the department has the reserve balance required and that the transfer would not affect planned capital improvement projects.
The board instructed staff to follow purchasing policy and town procedures for the transfer and surplus process; members asked staff to confirm winter storage and trailer pricing and to provide any additional comparables if available.
The motion to transfer funds passed; the minutes record the transfer and the board’s direction to surplus the existing Marine 1 as requested by the chief.
Ending: The new boat will be put into training use before final outfitting; the department and town staff will handle surplus of the old vessel and report back on final costs and any required additional maintenance.
