In 271 days, Edgecomb will have its first new fire engine since 1989. During a June 4 special town meeting, in a hand vote, 31 residents authorized selectmen to appropriate up to $250,000 to buy a new fire truck.

When moderator Chip Griffin asked for a vote, nearly all residents raised their hands favoring the article and none voted against it. The vote authorized Fire Chief Roy Potter to order the truck. On Tuesday, Potter ordered a HME Fast Attack vehicle with a Ford-550 chassis from Lake Region Fire Apparatus, Inc. in West Ossipee, New Hampshire. The dealer had previously quoted a $247,600 price and a 270-day delivery date for the special order vehicle. 

Fire department officials hoped residents would vote on the truck during the annual town meeting May 19, but selectmen were unable to gather required financial information in time for the warrant. Instead, residents discussed purchasing a new truck during the May meeting which led selectmen to schedule the special town meeting.

Potter believed overwhelming support from residents resulted in voters authorizing the purchase. “We are excited, and I’d like to thank the voters for all their support during the town meeting who stood up and supported us,” Potter said.

Prior to the vote, municipal officials advised voters how the purchase impacted the town’s indebtedness. Treasurer Claudia Coffin reported current municipal indebtedness: bonds outstanding and unpaid, $3,150,875; bonds authorized and unissued, $88,500; and bonds issued if the question was approved, $250,000. The truck purchase brings total municipal indebtedness to $3,489,375.

Municipal officials estimate a 3.2 percent interest rate over a five-year term for paying the truck loan. Officials estimated total debt service for the truck as $274,879. Selectmen are considering using tax increment financing funds to buy the truck. Last month, selectmen hired a Bangor law firm, Eaton Peabody, to advise then on amending the town’s TIF agreement to expand purchases beyond infrastructure and allow equipment.

“We’d like to use TIF funds. That is the next step regarding the truck purchase,” said Selectman Jack Sarmanian.

Any changes in the municipal TIF agreement would require voter approval. According to town officials, a truck payment won’t be required until 2020.

The truck will replace two older vehicles in the department’s aging fleet: a 1981 rescue vehicle and a 1984 pumper.