Buckfield weighs repairing ambulance versus warrant article for replacement

Town officials told the Select Board Aug. 19 that the town ambulance requires significant work and that officials are weighing repair costs against the possibility of asking voters to fund a replacement. The town has received at least two repair estimates: one quote to fix mechanical items and rocker panel work for about $5,000 and another estimate totaling about $21,000 for bodywork and mechanical repairs. Staff said a third quote is pending. Town staff noted the ambulance has about 12,000 engine hours. The town manager said putting several thousand dollars into repairs might extend serviceability in the short term but would not eliminate the risk of major future failures: "You put that much money into it, and the engine grenades, transmission goes," he said. At the previous meeting staff provided a price range for a new ambulance of roughly $300,000 to $430,000. The manager said the board will need to decide whether to place a warrant article before voters in November to fund a new vehicle, seek a used ambulance to bridge a gap, or attempt further repairs. No purchase decision or warrant article was approved at the Aug. 19 meeting. The manager said he will present the third repair quote and bring a recommended path forward to the board at the next meeting.