1983-03-07 to 1983-05-16-ATM-min

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(Adjourned Session of the 1983 Annual Town Meeting - May 11, 1983.) 2 6 3 Article 42. FIRE DEPARTMENT LADDER TRUCK Presented by Stephen Michael. Politi. MOTION: That the sum of $215,000 be appropriated to purchase a (As ladder truck for the Fire Department, that such amount be raised adopted) in the tax levy, and that the Selectmen be authorized to trade in or sell a ladder truck with the proceeds to be applied to the new ladder truck. 9:32 P.M. Mr. Politi informed the meeting that the truck to be traded in had made 432 runs during calendar year 1982. Amongst other inadequacies, he said that the brakes were inadequate. An independent fire engineer recommended that this 23 year old truck be replaced as soon as possible. The trade in value is $6,000 and although the mileage is 26,500 the more important figure is. the 2,098 of engine hours. If this motion is adopted, hopefully January 1984 would be the delivery date for the new truck. 9:38 P.M. Fire Chief John D. Bergeron was recognized and he gave a slide presentation showing the truck to be traded in, the Bedford ladder truck similar to the one requested in this budget and shots of various past fires in Lexington showing the need for a ladder truck in the town although there are no high buildings. The safety factor pertaining to the equipment and to the fire personnel was stressed. 9:45 P.M. Edward E. O'Sullivan, although prepared to support this motion, asked if the truck to be purchased was new or used and wondered about the advisability of also trading in the present rescue truck. Mr. Politi answered that the ladder truck would be a new truck and that the plan is to retire the rescue truck. The town will want to save some of the equipment that is now on the rescue truck. 9:47 P.M. Renee T. Cochin brought up the matter of financing the purchase and the life expectancy of the truck. 9:47 P.M. Mr. Politi said that it was expected that the new ladder truck would last approximately twenty to twenty -five years and added that bonding is not appropriate for this type of purchase. William J. Dailey, Jr., Chairman of the Appropriation Committee and Nyles Nathan Barnert, Chairman of the Capital Expenditures spoke for their respective committees in opposition to bonding for this piece of equipment. 9:53 F.M. James E. Barry brought up the possibility of assessing commercial buildings for false alarms at the rate of $50 but Town Manager, Robert M. Hutchinson, Jr. answered that this would not be appropriate for Lexington. 9:57 P.M. Edward E. O'Sullivan moved that Article 42 be amended by adding the following: There shall be efforts put forth by the Town to trade, sell or otherwise dispose of the Fire Department Rescue truck that will become excess equipment upon adoption of this article for the purposes of raising revenue. Any revenue raised shall be returned to the Excess and Deficiency Account. 9:57 P.M. Town Treasurer Louis A. Zehner spoke against bonding for this equipment. 10:02 P.M. Mr. O'Sullivan's motion to amend was declared lost by voice vote. 10:03 P.M. Motion as presented by Mr. Politi declared adopted by voice vote. 10:03 P.M. Article 43. STABILIZATION FUND Presented by James F. Crain. MOTION: That this article be indefinitely postponed. Adopted unanimously. 10:03 P.M.