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Alton selectmen accept firefighting donation, fund Engine 4 repairs and approve surplus vehicle
Summary
The board accepted a $1,920 donation of two emergency plug devices from the Alton Firemen's Association, authorized up to $6,000 from the fire capital reserve to repair Engine 4, and voted 4–1 to keep a surplus 2016 Ford F-150 acquired through the federal surplus program.
Alton — Selectmen on Oct. 14 approved three fire-department items: acceptance of a private donation, authorization of repairs for a town engine and acceptance of a surplus federal vehicle.
The board voted unanimously to accept two emergency plug devices donated by the Alton Firemen’s Association. The chief said each device is valued at $960 (total $1,920) and will be placed on the town’s two primary ambulances to address a scenario in which an electric vehicle’s charging mechanism might lock the vehicle and prevent access to a patient.
Separately, the chief briefed the board on Engine 4, which experienced a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) system failure that required a parts replacement quoted at $4,838.28 and a cracked flex exhaust pipe estimated at about $1,000 — bringing the expected repair cost to roughly $6,000. With operating budgets tight near year-end, the board authorized the chief to use up to $6,000 from the fire department’s capital reserve to complete the repairs.
The board also considered a rapid acquisition of a 2016 Ford F-150 obtained through a federal/state surplus program. The vehicle — reported to have roughly 28,000 miles — arrived after the chief moved quickly to claim surplus stock. Members inspected the truck and raised process concerns (including a transportation fee of $2,100 and the need for new tires). After debate about the procurement process and whether the truck met the original intent for an SUV, the board voted to accept the F-150. The motion passed 4–1; one selectman recorded a "no" vote to register concern about the process and initial costs.
Town staff said acceptance requires inspection, registration, insurance through Primex and a six-month possession window before the vehicle could be returned under the surplus program’s rules. The chief said the truck would serve as a secondary wildland/forestry and training vehicle and reduce the department’s reliance on personal vehicles for certain responses.
Next steps include completing insurance/inspection formalities and addressing tire/transportation costs; staff said they will return to the board with any additional information or requests for funding as needed.
