Annual Town Meeting Article 19 proposes a major shift in how the town funds fire department equipment. Instead of borrowing the necessary funds, the article seeks to use $1,496,853 in available free cash. Joseph Lally reported that this change in funding source would save the town approximately $500,000 in interest payments over the life of the equipment.

The Advisory & Finance Committee gave the proposal a unanimous 14-0-0 recommendation. By opting for a cash purchase rather than debt, the town continues its recent trend of utilizing surplus revenues to reduce long-term interest obligations.

Motion: Move to revise the funding source from borrowing to free cash for $1,496,853 for fire equipment.