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Selectmen rework warrant-article funding to pursue near-term ambulance purchase
Summary
After a late notice of an available 2024 ambulance chassis, Selectmen reallocated warrant-article amounts to put more money toward emergency-vehicle capital, bringing the town close to the $412,000 projected purchase price and directing staff to prepare details for the Budget Committee.
The Farmington Board of Selectmen voted Feb. 2 to adjust warrant-article allocations to position the town to buy an available ambulance that the Fire Chief proposed could be built on a 2024 chassis and delivered sooner than typical lead times.
Town Administrator Paul Sanderson told the board the chief located a 2024 chassis and estimated a completed ambulance cost of $412,000. The town's ambulance capital reserve fund held approximately $182,000, leaving a funding gap that could be filled by reconfiguring warrant-article amounts before the Budget Committee public hearing on Feb. 10.
After discussion of capital-reserve balances and competing demands (including a previously proposed road-improvement warrant article), the board voted to reallocate warrant-article funding so the Emergency capital receives $230,000 and the Fire Vehicle & Equipment article receives $70,000, while removing the proposed Road Improvement warrant article from the warrant list. The motion passed 5-0.
Selectmen instructed Sanderson and Finance Administrator Kelly Heon to prepare the financial details and supporting materials for the Budget Committee and to have the Fire Chief provide specifications and lifecycle information so voters and the Budget Committee can evaluate the purchase. Board members discussed lease-purchase options and bridging funds if the town chooses immediate purchase rather than waiting through the usual 16- to 20-month delivery cycle for new builds.
The board emphasized it would present the financial specifics to the Budget Committee on Feb. 10 and produce clear voter guidance ahead of Town Meeting. No final purchase contract was executed at the Feb. 2 meeting; the action was limited to reallocating warrant-article funding to make near-term purchase feasible.
