WARWICK — Voters overwhelmingly approved the purchase of a brush truck during annual town meeting Monday night, supporting Warwick Fire Chief Ron Gates’ goal to improve his department’s efficiency and safety.
The original article, which proposed borrowing the money, was amended. Instead, the $75,000 Gates requested will be collected through taxation, raising the anticipated tax rate by about $1 to $21.88 per $1,000 of valuation.
A newer vehicle, Gates explained, would replace two vehicles: a 1983 Ford brush truck and a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe used to respond to medical calls. Gates said both vehicles have severe rust damage, and with safety standards changing since 1983, the brush truck doesn’t even have seat belts or airbags.
“The rescue has been deemed unfit for the road,” Gates continued. “As of today, it will be out of service … We have a lot of outdated equipment that should have been addressed many years ago and never was.”
Initially, residents asked if the purchase could be put off another year.
“In the case of this truck, I think we ought to slow down a little bit and assess what the needs of a town of 780 people are. See if we can do the repairs to this truck, get a few more years out of it,” said George Day Jr., who was Warwick’s fire chief for 27 years.
“We’re in the opinion that it’s a good opportunity to take a step back and develop a more concrete idea of what to purchase for the following year,” said Bill Foote of the Finance Committee.
Firefighters Bill Lyman and Joe Larson emphasized the importance of having a safe vehicle.
“Added safety is the top priority on this truck,” Larson said. “We go night and day … We’re just asking for something that we’ll be safer in and that will be safer for the people around us as well.”
Multiple residents expressed their support for the Fire Department.
“I was prepared to vote against this, but when I thought about it, I was there the night of the Seago fire. If anybody deserves a safe vehicle, they do,” Selectboard Chairwoman Dawn Magi said. “I can’t afford it, I don’t want my taxes to go up any more, but I think we have to think about the safety of our town.”
“Personally, I don’t mind the expense,” Warwick resident Todd Dexter said. “The fire department doesn’t ask for a lot.”
Residents approved the annual operating budget of nearly $2 million, up about 3 percent from this year. Other approved articles involve using: $2,800 from the stabilization fund to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus; $5,000 from the stabilization fund to purchase firefighters’ turnout gear; $5,000 for Town Hall improvements; and $25,000 to replenish the stabilization fund.