Select board unanimously authorizes lease-purchase of new fire truck

The Rondeau Select Board voted unanimously on Aug. 10 to adopt a resolution authorizing the lease-purchase of a new fire truck, clearing a financing step ahead of an expected delivery later this month.

Town Manager reviewed the draft resolution and said the truck has been under construction and is expected to be delivered to the town on Aug. 19. In describing the financing language in the resolution, the manager read an amount in the draft and noted the financing illustration: "It talks about, $1,184,799 payable on 8 annual installments," he said, and clarified the town previously approved a $250,000 down payment at a special town meeting to cover the initial payment. He also told the board the agreement is a seven-year lease purchase, noting there are eight payments in the schedule because the down payment is included separately.

A board member moved to adopt the resolution and the motion was seconded; the chair called the vote and recorded the motion as carried unanimously. The manager said legal counsel reviewed the form documents and identified standard IRS disclosure language; the board asked whether any signatures were needed from members and were told staff had what they needed.

The board also asked for clarity on how the remaining principal will be covered in next year’s budget; the manager said that will come through the budget process and that staff will present specifics during budget deliberations.