HARDWICK — The town of Hardwick will host its fall Town Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m. at Hardwick Elementary School, 76 School House Dr.
There are two articles on the warrant. The first article is to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer funds, or borrow a sum of money to fund the purchase and equipping a new fire pumper truck for the Fire Department, including all costs incidental.
The vote will require a two-thirds majority vote if borrowing.
Fire Chief Josh Pease explained that since around the middle of June, their Engine 1 fire apparatus had an issue with its pump system.
After sending it out to get repaired, the estimated cost for repairs was $100,000 and began looking at other options with Town Administrator Justine Caggiano.
“A couple of different options we kind of investigated in and found weren’t super feasible for the town in my opinion were Wales fire was selling a used apparatus from 2006. [The National Fire Protection Association] recommends 25 years on fire apparatus. The price was alright at $70,00 but didn’t fit the needs of the town in my opinion,” Pease said.
After looking at newer used fire trucks online, anything newer than 2017 costs around $600,000 to $700,000.
Pease said that after seeing the cost he felt buying a new fire apparatus would be the best option.
Caggiano, members from the Capital Planning Committee, Finance Committee and Fire Department all saw a 2024 demo truck.
Pease said, “It would pretty much the identical replacement, just 2024 to our engine two. It’s not a fancy truck by any means but I think it’s what the town needs.”
The total cost is approximately $820,000 but Pease recommended $860,000 to the Finance Committee in case the price rose by Town Meeting.
Right now, the town is operating with one working engine and is from 1998. There is a 2006 tanker which moves water to the fire.
Pease said, “For me right now, I’m hoping that the 1998 and the 2006 kind of hold together in the meantime until we can find something to replace it with.”
Caggiano talked about the potential sources of funding for this project after meeting with the town treasurer/collector.
She said, “Looking at what are our options, it’s looking like a debt exclusion. We’ve been looking to lease to own however you can’t do a debt exclusion for a lease, so we be looking at a loan. I have a lot of questions that I need to work through with our financial team, but it does look like a debt exclusion is, unless a miracle, is our only option.”
The town is looking at a five-, seven- or 10-year lease. The town has to pass the debt exclusion at Town Meeting and potentially vote on it later in an election before the truck could be purchased.
Caggiano said the Capital Planning Committee has been involved in the process and recently voted to support the request for a new fire truck to be presented to the Select Board.
The Select Board approved adding the item to Special Town Meeting during its Sept. 9 Select Board meeting.
The second article is to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds from free cash or otherwise provide the following sums for three capital improvement projects or purchases.
The first request falls under the town administrator department and is a request of $20,000 to replace the townwide municipal phone system.
The reason for the request is the current system is described as obsolete equipment, it is not 911 compliant and is soon not going to be serviceable.
The second request is for the Finance Committee and is a request for $25,238 to fully fund the Finance Committee Reserve Account.
The third and final request is from the Fire Department for $6,500 for the removal of an oil tank beneath the Ruggles Hill Street School property.
This request is designed to prevent an oil leak and prevent an environmental liability for use of the building.
