Selectboard debates whether fire-truck loan requires special town meeting

Selectboard members and staff discussed the timeline and legal form of financing for a planned fire-truck purchase and whether the loan required approval by a special town meeting.

A board member said, "the first time we ever had to have a special town meeting we didn't even have to have one up when we bought the new truck before five years ago," questioning whether the current purchase differs procedurally from past practice. Staff replied that the bank was treating the financing as a general-obligation loan for tax-free interest and that an attorney's certification would be required before closing. The board discussed options for a quick special meeting and whether a seven-day special meeting schedule could meet contract deadlines.

Members proposed scheduling a special meeting to sign documents and ratify the purchase; one motion proposed meeting the following Monday at 6 p.m. to minimize public exposure. The transcript does not show a completed vote; staff said attorneys were prepared to sign and that if the certification was in order the town could proceed quickly.