LISBON — Voters heading to the polls next week will decide whether to approve a $1.7 million bond to purchase two firetrucks and select two candidates for the School Committee.
Residents will also select four members of the Town Council and one member of the Water Commission, however none of these elections are contested.
Lisbon Fire Chief Nathan LeClair said the town needs to purchase two new firetrucks this fall to secure the lowest-possible pricing and replace three aging trucks on schedule.
The department plans to retire a 2004 rescue truck, a 2003 pumper truck and a 2000 Freightline pumper/tanker with two new trucks.
Financing the bond, which is not to exceed $1.7 million or 20 years in length, is recommended by the Town Council and the finance director.
In a letter to the community, LeClair wrote that the National Fire Protection Association recommends firetrucks be removed from front-line service after 15 years. He also noted that firetrucks have increased in price by 6% to 7% every six months over the past two years.
“And, like all automobile manufacturers, we will never see prices drop,” he wrote.
By purchasing the trucks now, the town will be able to lock in a lower price and have two new trucks delivered in 2024.
The purchase would have no immediate impact on residents’ taxes, but could two years from now, according to Lisbon town officials.
Due to the two-year wait, the town would likely not need to provide payment until 2024. Residents would not see a change in their taxes until then.
Kayla Tierney, Lisbon finance director, said it would be difficult to calculate the direct tax impact at this time. The town may see increased revenue over the next two to three years from projects like the expansion of Springworks Farm, which will soon go before the Planning Board. Increases in revenue would help offset the tax impact of the debt service.
The town will also finish paying off two bonds in the next two years, reducing its debt service in time to begin paying the bond for the firetruck purchase.
Due to a possible increase in revenue and decrease in debt service, it is possible that residents will not experience a noticeable rise in taxes two years down the line if the town ultimately purchases the fire trucks, noted Town Manager Glenn Michalowski.
The department’s request is in line with the capital improvement schedule, which recommends the town replace the three trucks in the next two to three years.
“Due to political climates in years past, (truck replacement plan) it’s been underfunded or not funded at all,” LeClair said. “There’s no money in that plan to do a right-up replacement . . . we’ve tried catching up in the past few years.”
If approved, the new trucks will also be Moxie orange, he said.
For School Committee, residents will have five choices for two seats. The five candidates are Laura Craig, Chelsey Harvey, Leonard Lednum, Kelli Rogers and Mary Jane Wellington.
Due to an error in the clerk’s office, the ballot incorrectly states that there are three seats open.
Residents can learn about the candidates and their stance on school issues by reading the Sun Journal’s candidate questionnaires online.
For Town Council, Donald Fellows, Mark Lunt and JoJean Keller are running for three open three-year seats, and Christine Cain is running for a one-year term.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 8, at Lisbon High School.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include information about the future tax impact of purchasing two fire trucks.
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