Buckfield Board sends ambulance financing question, other warrants to special town meeting

The Buckfield Select Board voted Sept. 2 to place six articles on a special town meeting warrant for Nov. 4, 2025, including a voter question that would authorize the town treasurer to obtain a loan to finance a new ambulance and an article to appropriate funds to cover a public-safety budget overrun. The board approved the warrant as amended and directed staff to post it for the statutory period. "If they say no, they say no. If they say yes, they say yes," a town staff member said about asking voters for direction on the ambulance purchase.

Why it matters: Buckfield currently has one serviceable ambulance and board members said losing the second vehicle would require renting an ambulance at an estimated $125 per day. The warrant item on financing would let voters authorize a loan up to an upper estimate included in the draft warrant; staff presented three illustrative financing terms and annual payment examples so voters and the board could see potential budget impacts.

Board discussion and details: Town staff told the board they had gathered price quotes ranging from roughly $300,000 for a van-chassis unit to higher out-the-door prices for a fully equipped unit. The staff presented three financing scenarios from Androscoggin Bank: a 5-year annual payment option, a 7-year option and a 10-year option, with the 10-year example producing the lowest annual payment but the highest total interest. Staff said demo-ready ambulance units are more likely to be obtainable within months, while a custom-ordered vehicle could take two to three years or longer to arrive.

Rescue and operations context: Board members and rescue staff emphasized service continuity as the priority. A rescue staff member said crews cannot simply rely on neighboring services for coverage because other services are operating at or near capacity and calls in the region have risen. "We have to have the tools to be able to do the job," the speaker said.

Budget and reserve implications: The town has reserve funds that could be used as a down payment; staff recommended using reserves to lower annual financing costs if voters approve borrowing. The board approved submitting the warrant article as written and left choices about chassis type and financing term to a later decision if voters authorize the loan.

What voters will see and next steps: The draft warrant contains language allowing the treasurer to obtain a loan for a principal amount not to exceed the upper estimate cited in staff materials. The board asked staff to finalize the warrant wording and submit it for election programming. If voters approve the financing article, the board will decide the exact vehicle and financing term; if voters reject it, the board will return to other options including using reserves, seeking used equipment, or renting as needed.