BERNARDSTON — Voters threw their support behind a pair of debt exclusions — one pertaining to the purchase of a $1.08 million Pierce fire engine, and the second for a $399,900 Western Star dump and plow truck — at the ballot box on Monday.
The debt exclusion for the fire truck received 56 votes in favor and 36 against, while the purchase for the Highway Department received 59 votes in favor and 33 against. Both of these requested purchases were previously approved by Annual Town Meeting voters.
According to results from Town Clerk Christina Slocum-Wysk, 92 voters cast their ballots out of 1,867 registered voters in town, making for a 4.93% turnout.
Fire Chief Peter Shedd previously explained that the Pierce fire engine will replace the department’s existing Engine 2, which is a 2007 KME model that is experiencing operational issues, primarily due to corrosion of electrical equipment within the truck. The dump and plow truck will replace a 2006 International.