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Kennebunk subcommittee backs donation of 1992 reserve engine to Searsmont after deadly blaze
Summary
After a fire in Searsmont that destroyed its apparatus and killed a firefighter, Kennebunk’s Finance Subcommittee recommended forwarding a request to donate a 1992 KME reserve engine to the full Select Board instead of selling the truck. The town’s purchasing policy does not currently address equipment donations.
The Town of Kennebunk’s Finance Subcommittee voted on May 26 to forward to the full Select Board a request to donate a 1992 KME reserve fire engine to the Searsmont Fire Department after a recent fire there destroyed the department’s apparatus and resulted in the death of a firefighter.
Fire Chief Cooper requested Select Board approval for the donation; the reserve engine had been scheduled for sale through GovDeals. The minutes note that when Washington Hose Fire Station experienced a fire in 1981, another community donated a used apparatus to Kennebunk, and the department described this donation as returning that past generosity.
The town’s Purchasing Guidelines and Policy do not specifically address donation of surplus or obsolete vehicles and equipment, the minutes say. The subcommittee voted 2–0, with one member absent, to forward the request with a positive recommendation to the full Select Board. No final decision to donate was made at the subcommittee meeting.
If the Select Board approves, staff will need to follow procurement rules and any additional steps required by town policy or state law to transfer the vehicle. The minutes say the item will be discussed with the full Select Board at its regular meeting that evening.
