Acton Select Board frames warrant language for new ambulance, $22,000 command vehicle and $34,000 municipal vehicle

The Town Administrator read draft warrant articles at the Town of Acton Select Board meeting on July 9 as the board prepared fall warrant language for voter consideration.

Board members agreed the ambulance warrant should be written to authorize the purchase from the unassigned fund balance and the Town Administrator recommended wording that describes the purchase as a "new ambulance" so it is not tied to a specific older vehicle. The board did not adopt a final dollar amount for the ambulance during the meeting; the article will appear on a future warrant for voter action.

The Select Board revised the command-vehicle language to read, as edited during the meeting, "to see if the town will authorize the expenditure of up to $22,000 for the purchase of a command vehicle from the unassigned fund balance." The board also reviewed a municipal-vehicle article to "see if the town will authorize the expenditure of up to $34,000 from the unassigned fund balance to purchase a municipal vehicle to be used by the municipal and code enforcement staff." Board members discussed leasing versus purchasing and asked for additional rate information for leases at a future meeting.

Snow-plowing articles were read and discussed; one advertisement date had an error and bids will be opened July 23 so interested contractors have time to respond. Warrant & Finance will be asked to begin deliberations after July 23.

No final votes to appropriate funds were taken at the July 9 meeting; the board agreed on wording and the funding source (unassigned fund balance) for several items and directed further follow-up work and additional detail for the warrant and finance committees.