JAY – Selectmen voted Monday to put the Fire Rescue Department’s 1980 Engine No. 3 pumper for sale by bid. They also denied a resident’s quiet-zone request, took a stance against TABOR and approved the police chief’s request to buy two firearms from a different account than he planned.

The Fire Rescue Department’s new 2006 pumper/rescue truck has arrived, and Engine No. 3 has been retired. It’s parked beside Station 2, across from the town office.

Selectmen agreed to advertise for bids on the Maine Municipal Association’s Web site and in weekly and twice-a-week papers.

The board also denied a request to create a quiet zone for engine brakes in the Bean’s Corner area.

Selectman Chairman Bill Harlow said highway foreman John Johnson had done some research on limiting Jake brakes in areas and found that most of the time if the engine brake is installed correctly it makes very little noise. Instead, it could be an altered exhaust system or other issues that cause the loud noise people hear, Harlow said.

The Jake brake is a safety brake and in unsafe conditions will help trucks stop quicker, Harlow said.

The state won’t install signs asking truckers to limit use of Jake brakes and won’t enforce it if signs are up on the state roads.

It is an enforcement issue and a safety issue, Marden said.

Selectmen did ask police Chief Larry White Sr. to meet with a resident to see if it’s one specific truck making the noise.

In other matters, selectmen voted 3-0 to adopt a resolution opposing the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights referendum.

The resolution states “TABOR establishes poorly designed and irrational budget restriction formulas that attempt to dictate the amount of money local voters can raise and spend to provide municipal and school services, directly interfering with local control over crucial budget decisions.”

Harlow and Selectmen Rick Simoneau and Amy Pineau said TABOR is not in the best interest of the town, townspeople already have the voting power in the town meeting-style of government and that there are many unanswered questions on the initiative.

Selectmen also voted to have White take nearly $1,000 to buy two firearms out of his regular operating account rather than the capital account with the understanding that if the chief runs out of money, selectmen could transfer money from the capital account.

White had wanted to take it from his capital budget because it was in his 2003 capital plan and he considers capital not an everyday purchase and the firearms will stay within the department. There is about $81,794 in the overall police capital budget and about $9,000 left in an account that covers ammunition and other supplies. White said usually there is nothing left in the latter account by the end of the year.

The firearms, which cost $497 apiece, are for reserve officers.

Marden and Harlow said capital accounts are more reserved for large purchases, including cruisers.