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Scituate council approves $8,000 drone upgrade for Potteryville fire unit after debate on policy and asset custody
Summary
The Scituate Town Council approved using up to $8,000 in capital funds for an infrared-capable drone to be based with the Potteville Fire Department and shared with other town emergency services, after members debated whether purchases should route through the fire engineering board and how to document town ownership.
The Scituate Town Council voted to authorize up to $8,000 in capital funds for Potteville Fire Department to upgrade its drone with infrared capability and to share the unit with the town's Emergency Management Agency and other fire departments.
Councilors spent more than an hour debating whether the request should have been vetted by the town's fire engineering board, whether the police department should receive a drone instead, and how to document custody of equipment loaned to volunteer fire corporations. Rob Greenway, chief of Potteville Fire, detailed past use of his personal drone in a search-and-rescue operation and the desire to obtain a COA (Certificate of Authorization) and FAA credentials to expand capabilities. Greenway said the personal drone had helped locate a missing person and "saved a lot of time and resources," and that an upgraded unit with thermal imaging would extend operations into low-light conditions.
Concerns about equity and long-term ownership were raised by council members who noted that several volunteer fire departments are independent corporations. One councilor warned that if a volunteer department dissolved the town should ensure town-purchased equipment reverts to municipal control. The treasurer (referred to in the meeting as "Ted") said town-owned assets can be memorialized with legal agreements to address that risk.
Chiefs and the president of the fire engineering board described the proposed drone as an upgrade to an existing shared asset and said it would be available for townwide use. The council ultimately approved the request by unanimous roll call. The vote recorded 'Aye' from Councilman Parmalee, Councilman McCormick, Councilman Grandy, Councilwoman Ewell, Council Vice President Collins and Council President Groves. The motion was announced as passed and the council directed staff to document the arrangement and drafting of any necessary agreements.
Next steps: the council expects the purchasing agent and treasurer to finalize procurement details and an agreement specifying custody and shared-use terms.
