WARWICK — The Fire Department may be in store for its first new fire engine in 3½ decades after Annual Town Meeting voters gave the nod to two articles authorizing $680,000 for one on Monday.

Residents authorized the transfer of $200,000 from the stabilization fund and the borrowing of $480,000 to purchase the vehicle. The purchase will now go to a debt-exclusion vote during the town election on May 20.

Fire Chief Joe Larson told the 104 people gathered at Town Hall on Monday that his department is in dire need of new fire engine, as the current ones are 35 and 36 years old. For comparison, Larson said he is 31.

“Did anyone at Town Meeting drive here in a 35-year-old truck?” the chief said while advocating for Article 13. “I didn’t see one out there.”

Larson said the department saves the town a great deal of money with its volunteer force and a new engine is not a want, but rather a need.

“This is the reality of the world we live in,” he said.

Resident Robert Paquet stood up to suggest saving taxpayers some money by purchasing a used fire engine for around $200,000. Larson said that is not an option.

“I looked and I looked and I got the best truck I could for the money,” Larson replied.

Larson also said this same truck could cost an extra $100,000 by the end of the year if the town does not purchase it as soon as possible.

Resident Brian Farrington asked what would happen to the old fire engine and Larson said it would be sold, scrapped or given to the Highway Department. He also said he will apply for grants for equipment to go on the fire engine.

Voters also approved a $2.8 million omnibus budget for fiscal year 2025 that is 5.2% higher than the current budget. This figure includes nearly $1.1 million for the Warwick School District.

Resident Clyde Perkins stood up at the beginning of Monday’s meeting to ask that the budget be “sent back” and reassessed to better accommodate retirees like him who are living on a fixed income. He said he pays 12% of his income — or $78 a week — to Warwick. Following some procedural confusion, Perkins made a motion to dissolve the meeting but his request was shot down via voice vote.

Moderator James McRae mentioned an error resulted in the warrant not consisting of an Article 7.

“My fault,” Town Coordinator David Young stood up and said to laughter.

“If anybody sees [Article 7] out there, please invite it into the meeting,” McRae joked.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or
413-930-4120.