Residents press selectmen over timing and transparency of fire station generator purchase

An extended public comment period at the Sept. 29 meeting focused on the town’s recent purchase and installation work related to a fire station generator approved at Town Meeting.

Rollin Waterhouse asked how the generator could be ordered when, he said, “you haven’t even had a bid,” and cited two quotes he had seen: one for $26,900 and another for $25,500. He questioned why work had already begun and whether the town’s purchasing policy had been followed. Selectmen David Winchell Jr. and the Town Administrator responded that two bids had been received during the budget process, that the Fire Chief asked to order the generator at Town Meeting because the existing unit had failed multiple times and lead times were long, and that the board had allowed the Department Head to proceed to ensure emergency readiness. Selectmen Winchell Jr. told a commenter to “get his facts straight” before making assumptions on public television.

The Town Administrator summarized the timeline: bids had been solicited earlier in the year, the Town Meeting vote approved funding, the Fire Chief requested permission to order the generator on the spot because it was 8–12 weeks out and had failed twice, and the unit was ordered to avoid further service gaps. She acknowledged the process “might not have been as transparent as it could have been,” but said the procurement was time-sensitive and that excavation and related site work had been lined up in advance. Officials also discussed donated excavation labor and said they would clarify what work was donated versus paid from operating funds.

The exchange included repeated requests from the public for clearer documentation of bids and for the board to follow procurement policy steps at public meetings. The board and staff said they would follow up with clearer public reporting on the generator purchase and any scope changes affecting operating budgets.