Barre Select Board Approves $525,000 Pierce Fire Engine Purchase

BARRE -- January 7, 2018, Barre Select Board unanimously approved a $525,000 Pierce fire engine and split 2-1 on renewing the town's transfer station contract at its January 7 meeting. The fire engine, recommended by a committee that evaluated four manufacturers since September, features a stainless steel body and galvanized frame rails and is expected to be delivered in roughly eight and a half months. The board renewed its contract with Solid Waste Solutions for another year after the six-month cancellation window had already passed, despite one member arguing that sticker and bag sales, totaling roughly $175,000 annually, could justify municipal takeover of the site. Appointments to a new marijuana bylaw review committee, drawing eight applicants including two who appeared in person, were tabled two weeks pending a written charge and a legal review of whether members should be classified as special municipal employees; the board set a June 1 deadline for final marijuana bylaw drafts ahead of annual town meeting. A long-serving board member announced he will not seek re-election after 27 combined years on the Select Board and School Committee.