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Town approves $1.07 million emergency vehicle purchase to be funded from EMS billing
Summary
The council authorized a $1,070,002 contract for a Greenwood Emergency Vehicles pumper, to be paid from the town’s EMS third-party billing account; council discussed price increases, delivery timing and fund balance use.
The Smithfield Town Council voted to authorize the purchase of a new emergency pumper truck from Greenwood Emergency Vehicles (North Attleboro) at a price of $1,070,002, with funding to come from EMS third‑party billing revenue.
Interim Fire Chief Pearson told the council the vendor agreed that payment would be due when the truck is delivered; Pearson estimated delivery in early 2028. The purchase price in the current contract is considerably higher than earlier purchases: council members cited municipal purchases in other communities and past town buys where identical trucks cost substantially less.
“It's a huge increase,” Councilman Iannotti said, asking for an explanation. Chief Pearson said market consolidation and manufacturer consolidation have increased prices and production lead times; the town bought multiple apparatus together in earlier procurements, which produced better pricing.
Finance questions focused on how the town will pay. Chief Pearson and finance staff said the plan is to set aside EMS-billing revenue over the next three to four years so the town can pay the invoice when the vehicle is delivered rather than incur long-term debt. Council members asked for clearer documentation of the contract extension, payment schedule and the EMS fund balance. A council member asked that any vendor extension be provided in writing and that the town structure its bookkeeping so the set-aside shows on the revenue side of the budget for transparency.
Several council members also asked whether the town could instead buy a used pumper; staff said they did not identify suitable used alternatives and noted used pumpers often carry similar replacement needs in a few years. Staff noted that the vehicle being purchased is intended to go into front-line service while an existing front-line pumper would move to reserve and older vehicles would be sold, partially offsetting costs.
A motion to enter the purchase contract with Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, subject to providing the updated written contract language requested by a council member, carried on a voice vote with no recorded opposition in public minutes. Councilors also asked staff to provide the vendor’s written confirmation of price/term extension and to show the planned set‑aside in budget documents.
