Edgecomb residents vote to buy a new fire truck during a special town meeting at the town hall Monday, June 4. (Maia Zewert photo)
After months of discussion and several meetings, more than 40 Edgecomb residents approved the purchase of a new fire truck with no comment during a special town meeting Monday, June 4.
Since the 2017 annual town meeting, the Edgecomb Fire Department has been discussing its hopes to purchase a new “fast-attack” vehicle. The vehicle would be the first vehicle firefighters take to any call, whether a car accident, fire, or medical call.
The new vehicle would replace two vehicles in the department’s fleet that are more than 30 years old. In previous meetings, firefighters have expressed concern about the older vehicles’ dependability.
Edgecomb Fire Chief Roy Potter has estimated the new vehicle would cost approximately $247,670. During the special town meeting, voters authorized town officials to accept grants or borrow a principal amount not to exceed $250,000.
With an estimated interest rate of 3.2 percent over five years, the total estimated cost of a bond would be $274,879, according to the warrant article.
The article received a quick motion and second once Moderator Chip Griffin finished reading it. Griffin asked if there was any discussion. When no one spoke up, he called for a vote and the article passed unanimously.
“It’s great,” Potter said after the special town meeting. “We’re excited, and I would personally want to thank the members of the town who stood up and supported the fire department.”
Potter said he will reach out to Lake Region Fire Apparatus Inc., of West Ossipee, N.H., to get a purchase-and-sale agreement, which he will bring to the Edgecomb Board of Selectmen for approval. The company would have 270 days from the date of the order to deliver the truck, Potter said.
