DALTON, Mass. — During the special meeting on Tuesday, Fire District voters approved borrowing up to $350,000 for the purchase of a new ambulance and any related costs. 

 

Approximately 27 voters attended the meeting at the Stationary Factory, which lasted less than 10 minutes. 

 

The only article on the warrant overwhelmingly passed with only one voter against it. 

 

The no vote came from Tom Betit, who expressed his concern regarding the financial decisions and actions taken by the Fire District. 

 

He requested the status of the "imaginary ladder truck" and was directed by the moderator to reach out to the district following the meeting because the topic was unrelated to the warrant article. 

 

He also accused the district of "giving away trucks." 

 

"Most recently, [former chief James Peltier] gave away a $50,000 truck to the town of Bolton," Betit said. 

 

Betit was again informed by the moderator that this was also not a topic related to the article on the warrant and should be taken up with the district following the meeting. 

 

"I called [District Clerk and Treasurer Melanie Roucoulet] repeatedly to request information. I stopped down and talked to [Prudential Committee committee member Thomas Murray] about it. He wasn't very receptive. What's with all the secrets," Betit said. 

 

Afterward, Betit said he got the information surrounding the "$50,000" truck from a 2021 article in the Telegram and Gazette. 

 

The article explains that the vehicle he is referencing is a 1996 Stewart 1078 2 1/2-ton military vehicle obtained under the state surplus program. 

 

The article quotes Bolton Fire Chief Jeffrey Legendre, saying, "Surplus vehicles either come from the state or federal sources. The truck we were able to get came from the Dalton Fire Department. Chief Jim Peltier could release it from his fleet since they were given a grant for a new vehicle." 

 

Early Wednesday, Board of Water Commissioners Chair James Driscoll explained that participating in the state surplus program did not cost the district any money. The department was not using the military apparatus, so the program allowed it to be given to Bolton. 

The program only has a surplus of military equipment, not ladder trucks or ambulances, Driscoll said.

 

 

The station has two ambulances — a 2016 International and a 2019 Ford 50. However, only the Ford 50 still operates as an Advanced Life Support vehicle. It has been demonstrated both vehicles need to be replaced because of their deteriorating condition.

 

Based on communication with ambulance purveyors, it was previously thought it would take three-year build time and a projected cost of about $450,000 to $500,000 for a new ambulance. 

 

However an unanticipated opportunity came up — a buyer had backed out of a vehicle order at the last minute, so an ambulance became available early. 

 

The anticipated cost is about $345,000 to be rolled out as an Advanced Life Support unit. This includes transferring the radios and power load stretcher system from the district's old ambulance.

 

The remaining funds will cover the ambulance's decals.  

 

This apparatus is an F450 series, a pickup-style, two-wheel drive, so it would have a larger motor and transmission, heavier-duty brakes, and be an all-around heavy-duty vehicle. 

 

Additionally, the price increase that the district would face if it waited three years would no longer be a concern because the trade-in value is greater now.

 

The department's 2019 Ford 50 has a trade-in value of $30,000 and its 2016 International $2,500. The district will be trading in both. 

 

Voter William Drosehn, chair of the town's Finance Committee, asked about the bond and cautioned against choosing one that is longer than the vehicle's lifetime. 

 

Roucoulet explained that the district has a financial adviser through UniBank that will put it out to bid. 

 

The district has yet to determine the longevity of the loan it intends to go for, but Roucoulet explained in a follow-up that she does not expect it to be longer than four years. Driscoll said whatever funds the district has left over after the purchase and decal will go toward paying off the loan.