Councilors reviewed several proposed capital-reserve warrant articles the staff intends to present for the upcoming town meeting. The articles discussed at length included: a $250,000 deposit to a fire apparatus capital reserve (to fund future ladder, engine and boat replacements); a $162,000 article to create a new reserve for replacement of dual-band portable radios; a $75,000 addition to an emergency radio communications reserve (tower, console and related equipment); $80,000 for SCBA and rescue equipment capital reserves and $60,000 for information-technology capital reserves.

Fire Chief and department staff described the apparatus replacement schedule from the town’s capital-improvement plan and noted that some vehicles could be extended in service if well maintained. Chief staff also explained the town assigns an individual portable radio to each firefighter to enable accountability on the fireground and that their radios are dual-band, NFPA/UL-spec units that cost substantially more than consumer handheld radios. The department estimated approximately 65 portable radios in current service; dual-band, mission-grade radios were the basis for the $162,000 estimate.

Police and emergency communications staff explained the town needs radio-console and tower work. The police chief said the town’s South Bow tower is failing and that replacing the tower and upgrading consoles could cost several hundred thousand dollars; staff said a staged approach will be required and that the town is exploring site alternatives and pricing.

Administration and finance staff said the IT reserve would cover periodic server, backup and licensing work and is intended to reduce the need for emergency budget transfers; staff asked that council consider the reserve as a precaution for urgent infrastructure replacements.

Councilors asked for additional clarifications and supporting materials: current fund balances (some items did not show existing reserve balances in the packet), how grants or other outside funding would change the need for town contributions, the per-unit cost for radios and a clearer estimate of how the warrant articles would affect the average homeowner’s tax bill. Staff agreed to return with those clarifications before the final warrant is posted.

No council vote was taken on the warrant articles at the meeting; the discussion focused on staff follow-up and providing clearer cost and funding scenarios to voters.