Board of Finance recommends reallocating $275,000 to replace Squad 113; motion passes 5–1

The Board of Finance voted 5–1 on July 30 to recommend that the Board of Selectmen reallocate $275,000 from the Squad 113 refurbishment project to a Squad 113 replacement and related emergency-services uses. Chair (Speaker 2) moved the measure and the board carried it by voice vote; Chief Moore registered the sole opposing vote.

"To ask the board of selectmen to ask if the town people will, on the recommendation of the Board of Finance, reallocate the 275,000 funding from the project that's Squad 113 refurbishment, to Squad 113 replacement... with the following costs: used apparatus purchase and transport, a $180,000 with the remaining 70,000 to be used for upfit or for other town emergency services purposes, only by subsequent approval of the board of finance," the chair said when introducing the motion. The motion was seconded and discussed before the voice vote.

Board members said the recommendation responds to a large disparity between the estimated cost to refurbish the in‑service truck and the price of a used replacement. Chief Moore had earlier reported a refurbishment quote of $294,000, while the used vehicle under consideration was offered at $175,000 plus transport and upfit estimates. The board agreed to forward the recommendation to the selectmen; the chair and other members noted the selectmen will need to place the item on a town meeting warrant for final approval.

Vice requests: after the meeting, board members agreed to document the request in writing. Mike McCoo asked staff to send an email to the Board of Selectmen to place the reallocation on the selectmen agenda. The board also directed that vendor invoices be routed through the finance department to ensure clear town ownership of the purchased apparatus.