Buckfield officials weigh remounting Rescue 451 after updated $190,000 estimate; decision tabled

Speaker 2 told the Select Board that Sugarloaf Ambulance revisited the town's Rescue 451 and provided a revised estimate to remount the unit of about "$190,000," including a change in the chassis price. Speaker 2 said the town's Rescue Capital Asset Reserve currently held about $116,000 after a recent $5,000 appropriation, leaving an estimated shortfall of "$73,007.45" if the remount proceeds.

Speaker 2 outlined options: move excess Rescue revenue into the reserve via a warrant article, budget the remainder in the regular budget, or borrow roughly $70,000; other options discussed were purchasing an older used ambulance (which staff warned could be unreliable) or drawing on a different account, which the speaker did not recommend. Speaker 2 also said, if the remount route is chosen, the vendor could provide a loaner ambulance during the project to avoid daily rental costs.

After discussion, Speaker 3 moved to table the Rescue 451 decision until the next meeting to allow the board time to review updated proposals and funding scenarios. The motion carried after members called votes in the affirmative (Cecilia, DeWine, Sandra). The board agreed to revisit the item at the next Select Board meeting when staff expected to present an updated formal quote and a potential warrant article to transfer excess Rescue revenue into the capital account.

The board did not approve the remount at the Nov. 11 meeting and took no binding financing action; the item remains on the agenda for the next meeting when more complete cost and funding information should be available.