CONWAY — There are two articles at this year’s town meeting for money to replace a 26-year-old fire truck.
A new pumper truck is expected to cost $436,000, and Fire Chief Bob Baker said this price tag comes with no frills. Pumper trucks typically cost between $400,000 and $700,000, he said.
Article 3 asks residents to borrow $151,000 to finance a portion of the truck’s cost, while Article 4 would transfer $285,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund to pay the other portion. Both articles require a two-thirds vote on May 9.
Town Administrator Tom Hutcheson explained adopting Article 3 would mean the necessary $151,000 would be paid back over not more than five years. He said this vote will have no effect on Conway’s 2017 taxes.
He also said all borrowing must be approved in a two-tier process, and residents would have to ratify their May 9 town meeting vote via a ballot question at the polls on May 12. This vote requires a simple majority, according to Hutcheson.
Baker said experts recommend most departments replace pumper trucks every 20 years, but towns like Conway can stretch that to roughly 25 years because the trucks are not used for as many calls as they are in larger municipalities. Baker said the truck will be used for mutual aid calls as well as fires in Conway.
He said he hopes residents understand the need and pass the articles, but it is impossible to predict what will happen at town meeting. Baker, who has been fire chief for 36 years, is also one of the town’s selectmen and abstained on the recommendation vote due to a conflict of interest.
Hutcheson said he expects some contention because $436,000 is a lot of money. He said pumper trucks are specialized and complicated equipment.
“It’s a major purchase,” he said. “It’s by far the largest single item that we’re considering.”
Baker said the Conway Fire Department responds each year to 60 to 80 calls, including roughly 20 fires.
You can reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 257. On Twitter, follow @DomenicPoli