Ghent board approves fire and rescue contracts, equipment purchases and authorizes Greenway grant pursuit

The Ghent Town Board on Dec. 18 approved a package of contracts and equipment purchases, including one-year fire protection agreements, rescue-squad contracts, a truck repair bid and an excavator purchase, and authorized the town supervisor to pursue a Greenway grant aimed at a dangerous road crossing near the Ghent Playhouse.

Why it matters: The actions preserve local emergency coverage for 2026, update aging highway equipment and advance a rail-trail safety project that town officials said is frequently crowded during evening events.

Board action and votes The town moved and approved resolutions 33, 34 and 35 to authorize one-year fire protection service agreements with the Ghent Volunteer Fire Company, the Village of Chatham (Chatham Fire Protection District No. 2) and the West Ghent Volunteer Fire Company. The clerk had read notice that the hearings and proposed contracts cover the term 01/01/2026–12/31/2026 and are available for public inspection (read by Michelle Radley, town clerk).

The board also authorized contracts with local rescue squads and approved procurement-related resolutions: the board accepted the lowest responsible bid from Dirt Road Antics LLC for an engine overhaul on a 2005 International truck (bid: $31,033.26) under resolution 31 and approved resolution 32 to acquire an excavator (reported at roughly $265,042 using Sourcewell/state-cooperative pricing).

Highway equipment Highway staff explained that a proposed galvanized 10-foot plow (price: $7,484) would replace a unit in heavy service and exceed the departments $5,000 single-purchase cap; the board authorized the procurement. Highway staff also described a recent trial use of magnesium chloride that reduced snow/ice retention on treated roads during the latest storm.

Greenway grant authorization Board members voted to authorize the town supervisor to seek a Greenway grant intended to support a road crossing and traffic-safety features that would serve the rail-trail and Ghent Playhouse access. Officials framed the grant as a partial match opportunity suited to the crossing project rather than a full-project funding source.

Procedure and next steps Most motions were carried by voice vote (recorded in the meeting as unanimous "Aye"). Staff said copies of the proposed fire and rescue contracts are available from the town clerk and on the town website; the board said it would invite Charter representatives to explain a proposed franchise agreement at an upcoming meeting before scheduling a public hearing.

Costs and budget notes Reported dollar figures in discussion: plow $7,484; engine-overhaul low bid $31,033.26; excavator approximately $265,042. The board indicated budget authority or existing budget lines cover the purchases and bids presented.

What comes next Staff will follow up to finalize procurements and post public copies of contract documents; the town will hold the advertised public hearings for the fire contracts on 12/18/2025 at 06:55 as previously noticed.

Attribution: Quotes and specifics in this article were taken from the town meeting transcript and associated public notices read at the meeting.