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Charter Commission votes down proposal to require referenda for purchases over $1 million
Summary
The Charter Commission considered a motion to require a public referendum for town purchases over $1 million (prompted by discussion of a proposed fire truck purchase). The motion, moved by Aaron and seconded by Richard Garrett, failed after a revote, 3–5.
Charter commissioners debated whether the draft charter should require a public referendum for major municipal purchases and ultimately rejected the change on March 10.
A commissioner (identified in the transcript as Aaron) moved to revise the borrowing section so that purchases over $1 million would be subject to a referendum; Richard Garrett seconded. The motion initially produced a tie and the chair declared it failed, then the commission reopened discussion and held a formal revote. The final tally was three votes in favor and five opposed, and the motion failed.
Public commenters and some commissioners urged referenda for large purchases, citing transparency and taxpayer consent. One resident, Bruce, said, "I think the taxpayer ought to be in on this," arguing that large purchases — the discussion used a $2 million ladder truck as an example — should be presented on the ballot. Opponents warned that mandatory referenda could slow time‑sensitive purchases and raise costs. A commissioner noted the ambulance procurement saved money because officials acted quickly; another cautioned that waiting for a vote could cause price increases because materials and vendor pricing change.
Staff explained the town's capital funding approach: the capital improvement plan proposes setting aside $250,000 per year for the next four years toward the flagged fire truck, with remaining financing to be borrowed if necessary. The commission also heard that the town secured a $1.1 million grant for radio upgrades and has recently won other smaller grants ($75,000 and $25,000 examples were cited) but that competitive federal grants for apparatus are uncertain.
The failed motion does not change current council or budget authority; commissioners concluded that the existing municipal budget and borrowing procedures remain in effect. The transcript records the motion and final vote; commissioners indicated they will continue to refine charter language but left the borrowing authority as previously drafted.
