Bolton meeting approves sending $810,000 fire tanker question to Nov. 2 referendum

Bolton electors at a special town meeting on Oct. 19 approved placing a $810,000 appropriation to purchase an engine tanker for the Bolton Volunteer Fire Department on the Nov. 2, 2021 referendum, the meeting's registrars announced after a paper-ballot tally (Yes 51, No 3).

The question would authorize $810,000 to buy an engine tanker and permit the town to issue $630,000 in bonds and notes to finance part of the purchase. First Selectman Sandra Pierog moved to conduct the vote by paper ballot; the motion carried and the registrars tallied the ballots after debate.

Supporters, including Fire Department leadership, said the town’s primary response vehicle is failing beneath its exterior and poses reliability and safety risks. Chief Dixon said competitive bidding was possible but warned that supply shortages mean delivery would likely be "about 12 to 14 months." He added that some suppliers projected "a 5% increase" in price if the town delayed, and noted that "at this point the engine will be fine, but the pump will not, due to the corrosion." Chief Dixon also said the town had already committed $180,000 toward the replacement, which produces an estimated discount of about $23,000.

Opponents raised cost and reuse concerns. Resident Richard Treat acknowledged the fire volunteers’ service but urged a no vote, pointing to recent department purchases and the taxpayer burden. Treat recounted prior apparatus costs recorded in the meeting: a ladder truck in 2008 for $740,000, a rescue truck in 2013 for $840,000, a tanker truck in 2017 for $498,000 and a brush truck listed at $120,000. Others noted that trade-in or resale value for the existing vehicle is minimal; Chief Dixon and Selectman Mike Eremita said typical resale estimates ranged from $1,000 to $5,000 and that some manufacturers would scrap or crush the unit. Eremita said a certification pump test would likely fail because of corrosion and projected long-term replacement costs could rise significantly (he cited an estimate of roughly $2.1 million by 2040).

Procedural questions about timing came up: resident Rod Fournier asked why the special meeting was held shortly before the election. First Selectman Pierog explained that the town charter requires the meeting within 21 days of the referendum submission deadline and that the Town Clerk had to submit the ballot to the Secretary of the State by Sept. 9; if the town meeting did not approve the question at this session, Registrars said the question would not appear on the ballot.

After closing debate by voice vote, the registrars conducted the paper-ballot vote and announced the result: Yes 51, No 3. The moderator then accepted a motion to adjourn; the meeting ended at 8:05 P.M.

The approved step sends the appropriation question to voters on the Nov. 2, 2021 municipal ballot; any final purchase would depend on the outcome of that referendum and subsequent financing steps.