Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Bond topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board approves ballot language to borrow up to $855,000 for fire pumper
Summary
The board authorized language for the general-election ballot to borrow an amount not to exceed $855,000 for purchase of a fire pumper truck (10-year term); Fire Chief Penny explained vehicle-replacement cadence, NFPA guidance on frontline pumper age and timing for ordering and build lead times.
Manager Mary asked the board to approve the ballot verbiage to authorize borrowing for a fire pumper truck. The motion read in part: "Shall voters authorize the select board to borrow an amount not to exceed $855,000 for a period not to exceed 10 years for the purchase of a fire pumper truck." The motion was moved, seconded and approved.
Fire Chief Penny described the department's rolling replacement schedule: frontline pumpers are replaced every 10 years and then cascade to second-line status so the town does not operate pumpers older than 20 years. Penny said the town is saving in the CIP for future apparatus and noted current market costs for new tower trucks: "those are about 2,200,000 right now to purchase a new 1." She also said, if the ballot passes in November and the town orders in December, typical build time for a pumper is roughly three years.
Board members asked whether FEMA or other outside approvals affect timing; the chief and manager said they have time for the tower truck replacement and are continuing CIP planning. The board approved the ballot language so voters can consider the borrowing in the general election.
