Acton Select Board approves grant-funded diesel exhaust removal system for fire station

The Acton Select Board voted on Feb. 4 to authorize a contract with Air Cleaning Specialists of New England to install a diesel exhaust removal system at the town’s fire station, using a $75,000 federal grant that covers installation and related work.

Fire Chief Wayne Ham told the board that the department received a $75,000 grant to fund a diesel exhaust removal system and presented three vendor quotes. Chief Ham recommended a widely used Primo Vent-style system because it fits within the grant maximum and avoids the complexity of systems that rely on vehicle-mounted transceivers. The system reduces firefighters’ exposure to diesel exhaust, which the chief said is linked in the fire-service profession to elevated cancer risk.

Jon Denekamp moved to accept the recommended vendor and contract not to exceed $75,000, with electrical work covered by the grant; Tom McGurty seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The board recorded that the grant includes a required match of roughly 5% ($3,200), which Chief Ham said would be applied as specified in grant rules. The town reviewed three quotes; one alternative quote exceeded grant limits and another used a transceiver-based design the chief preferred to avoid. The board asked staff to verify warranty terms and finalize contract language before execution.

Action and next steps: staff will review the vendor contract and warranty details, confirm grant accounting for the 5% match, and return any final paperwork for signature. The Select Board’s action authorizes procurement under the grant award; electrical hookup costs will be funded from the grant as discussed.