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Finance Committee approves $150,000 to outfit two new fire pumpers
Summary
The committee approved a $150,000 transfer from unreserved free cash to outfit two fire pumpers ordered in 2023 and expected in August; councilors questioned procurement timing and were told a committee set specifications and retrofit was chosen to save costs.
On June 11 the Peabody City Finance Committee authorized $150,000 from unreserved fund free cash to purchase equipment for two new fire pumpers the city ordered in July 2023 and expects to receive in August.
Mr. Gingras introduced the transfer request. Councilor Turco questioned Chief D'Alio about why the equipment was not included in the original factory specifications. Chief D'Alio said the department chose not to buy all equipment at the time of purchase to save money and to allow broader vendor selection for retrofit work. He said a committee formed in 2022 handled prior specifications and a committee for the two new engines included Captain Paul Silva, who is a diesel mechanic.
"We thought we could save some money buying the equipment now as opposed to then because now we can go to different vendors," Chief D'Alio said, noting that if the equipment had been purchased at the factory the department would have had to go through additional procurement steps.
Councilor Gamache moved to appropriate $150,000 (account 3000005-54158-2026) from free cash for fire pumper equipment. After no discussion, a roll-call vote recorded Daigle (yes), Gamache (yes), Turco (yes), Nadeau Martin (yes) and Peach (yes); the motion carried 5–0.
Staff said the two engines, identified as engine three and engine five, were ordered in July 2023; the department expects delivery in August 2026 and intends to retrofit equipment after delivery in order to potentially save on costs and broaden vendor choice.
