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Brentwood selectmen authorize purchase of tanker truck, clear funding questions
Summary
The Brentwood Select Board voted to allow the fire department to sign a purchase-and-sale agreement for a 3,000-gallon tanker truck—accepting a dealer discount that lowers the price to $450,000—and confirmed available funding while asking staff to confirm fund language and documentation.
Brentwood Select Board members voted to authorize the Fire Department to sign a purchase-and-sale agreement for a new tanker truck, approving the department’s plan to buy a factory-stock 3,000-gallon vehicle offered at a discounted price of $450,000.
The decision came after firefighters and town officials told the board the vehicle is needed to restore water-carrying capacity lost when Engine 3 aged out of the fleet, leaving the town with roughly 1,000 gallons available in station units while one engine is out for service.
Town Administrator Paul Michaud and Deputy Chief Roy said the truck is a Kenworth chassis available now at a lower price than new-build lead times (18 months to two years) would allow. Roy said the seller agreed to a discount “because of the relationship we have with them,” and Deputy Chief/Fire Department staff framed the purchase as a cost-saving, urgent opportunity: “If we don't act…someone else will,” Michaud said.
Why it matters: the town’s insurance rating (ISO) and emergency response capacity depend in part on water capacity available from station apparatus. Board members repeatedly said restoring a 3,000-gallon vehicle to the fleet is important for firefighting capability and for avoiding future higher costs if the town waits.
Key facts and funding: the fire department said it has roughly $422,000 in a truck fund. Officials also discussed using the ambulance revolving fund if needed; Deputy Chief said that fund showed approximately $551,000 in a recent statement. The seller had quoted $499,990 and offered $450,000 under the town’s relationship with the dealer; town staff also estimated $13,000–$14,000 for radios and graphics (accessories) and about $7,000 quoted to install the radio. Board members asked staff to confirm exactly which line(s) of town funds would be used and to verify any legal limits on tapping the ambulance revolving fund.
Legal and process checks: a resident raised concern about whether the ambulance revolving fund allows purchases for fire vehicles. Town staff located past Town Meeting language (Article 16, March 12, 2009) that amended the town’s special revolving fund to include fire, rescue and medical services expenses and concluded the wording appears “clear and unambiguous.” The board’s motion to allow the Fire Department to sign the purchase and sale passed by voice vote.
Voices from the meeting: Police Chief Doty said he was “happy to work with the dragway in any way, shape, or form,” while emphasizing safety: “my primary concern is the safety of my officers out there and the safety and security of the town and the residents.” Deputy Chief Roy described the truck and the time pressure to sign the agreement. Resident Jim Burlow urged the board to consult legal counsel before using the ambulance fund; board members then confirmed the recorded warrant language that appears to authorize the use.
Next steps: staff will obtain and circulate the purchase-and-sale agreement for board review and confirm the specific funding lines and any legal constraints before final payment and delivery arrangements are completed.
Ending: The Select Board approved the purchase authorization by voice vote and will follow up on documentation and fund accounting before the transaction is completed.
