During their Annual Town Meeting June 24 and 25, Westport Island residents will decide on 41 articles including the purchase of a new fire truck and two referendum questions concerning the purchase of a 202-acre parcel of land.
According to Westport Island Fire Chief Robert Mooney, the town is seeking to buy a 2011 Pierce Responder with a price tag of roughly $261,000.
“This has a compressed air foam system and is thoroughly modern,” said Mooney. “This would give us between 25 and 30 years of service without having to purchase a used truck.”
Mooney said he looked at cheaper options via a used vehicle, but was concerned over a number of potential issues including unreliable usage history and the cost of inspecting a truck firsthand.
“Buying something sight unseen is dangerous,” said Mooney. “In order to see what condition a fire truck is in you need to look at it firsthand, which can be costly with travel expenses as these types of deals are often out of state.”
He added that a new vehicle would include a warranty and that he would seek the most advantageous financing available to the town.
“My expertise is in fire trucks and I understand the financial position we are all in,” he said. “However we really need a new fire truck and I hope voters will support this purchase.”
The first referendum question asks voters to take ownership of 202 acres of undeveloped land located in the middle of the island known locally as the Barrett/Hopkins property.
According to Westport Island Conservation Commission member Bill Hopkins, the land is a conservation priority because of its importance for water quality, wildlife habitat and recreational potential. Since February the Westport Island Conservation Commission has been partnering with the Trust For Public Land, a national non-profit conservation commission, toward a goal of purchasing the property.
If approved, the property will be owned and managed as a community resource.
The second referendum question will ask voters to bond $75,000 from a yet to be determined lender to help raise the $1.35 million needed to buy the property.
“This essentially asks voters to raise a mortgage for five cents on the dollar. It’s important for the town to raise this money because there are other grants out there from individual donors which will contribute $15,000,” said Hopkins.
Hopkins said $1.275 million in federal and state grants that are currently in the review process would match the municipal funds.
“We’re trying everything we can to keep this reasonable,” said Hopkins. “This is something the town needs to act on because the opportunity will not come back or be replicated in the future.”
Other articles of note include $2500 to replace 10 rotted windowsills in the town hall, $25,000 for paving services, and $67,268 in salaries for town officers.
Westport Island residents can cast their ballots Fri., June 24 at the town hall for the two referendum questions, the choice of Third Selectman, and three budget committee members. The Annual Town Meeting will then resume Sat., June 25 at 9 a.m., also at the town hall.