Board discusses cooperative purchase for fire truck and whether to borrow or use reserves

Trustees reviewed specifications and procurement options for a new fire truck, including a cooperative purchasing contract that staff said could secure a competitive price from vendors such as Pierce. One member urged the board to confirm bidding and legal procedures before finalizing a purchase through a cooperative contracting vehicle.

Board members debated financing options: staff explained the notice would authorize borrowing "not to exceed $604,000" while others argued for using the fire-equipment reserve or borrowing only a portion to avoid unnecessary interest. A trustee described the reserve balance and a plan to keep $100,000 per year in the reserve so the town need not borrow the full replacement cost for future apparatus.