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Acton fire chief presents $22,000 command-vehicle offer; board approves reapplication for $15,000 EMS grant
Summary
Fire Chief Wayne Ham described a 2016 Chevy Tahoe 'instant command' vehicle offered by Sanford for about $22,000 and asked the board to consider purchase; the Select Board granted permission to reapply for a $15,000 EMS Stabilization grant to upgrade training-room equipment.
Fire Chief Wayne Ham told the Select Board on April 30 that Sanford has offered Acton a fully equipped 2016 Chevy Tahoe described as an “instant command” vehicle at an asking price of about $22,000. The vehicle includes radios, a crossband repeater, emergency lights and other equipment the chief said is valued at $21,032.59; the chief said the Town had budgeted $80,000 for a replacement vehicle but that this offer could meet many operational needs at a substantially lower cost.
Chief Ham said the Tahoe has roughly 100,000 miles and that Sanford would allow Acton to have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase. The Select Board expressed interest and directed staff to check Maine Municipal Association (MMA) guidance on whether the vehicle would be classified differently from a municipal passenger car; the item is to be placed on next week’s agenda for further action.
During the meeting the board also approved the chief’s request to reapply for the State of Maine EMS Stabilization grant, an award up to $15,000. Chief Ham said the money would be used to update the training room — replacing projection with TV screens and purchasing simulation and airway-management training equipment — to improve hands-on paramedic training. The Select Board granted permission to reapply during the meeting.
Public commenters supported the proposal: EMA Director Phil Caruso said the package was beneficial for radio interoperability and EMA operations, noting the equipment cost justification. Joyce Bakshi asked whether an emergency vehicle would be treated differently by MMA rules; the Town Administrator said staff would review the classification before the next meeting.
What’s next: staff will verify classification and procurement rules with MMA, schedule any required vote or warrant language, and place the vehicle proposal on next week’s agenda; the EMS grant application will be submitted per the chief’s plan.
