WILTON — Voters will gather at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Academy Hill School for a special town meeting.

After choosing a moderator, they will be asked to take action on one article asking them to consider approving the purchase of an aerial firetruck.

No particular vehicle has been chosen, Town Manager Rhonda Irish said Thursday. 

“We’re waiting to see if the town will grant approval for the purchase before starting to actively find a truck,” she said.

The preferred vehicle considered by the Firetruck Committee is a pre-owned quint, she said. A quint truck can pump water, carry it and provide aerial work, according to fire Chief Sonny Dunham.

Voters will be asked to allow an amount of up to $500,000 to be spent on the vehicle, Irish said. The amount likely will be funded through a 10-year loan or bond, with an estimated $55,000 payment each year.

At an estimated interest rate of 3.4 percent for 10 years, the amount of interest would be $80,000 for a total debt of $580,000, according to the warrant for the meeting.

Except for debt incurred under the sewer treatment plant upgrade, the town is in pretty good shape, she said. A final payment of $22,000 is due in November 2015 on the East Dixfield firetruck. Wilton and Dixfield united to buy the truck at $100,000 each. Outstanding debt of $135,000 is still owed on a capital road bond, she said.

The amount needed for truck payments during the first year would be added to next year’s budget, she said.

The town may be able to use Comfort Inn municipal tax-increment financing funds to help reduce the yearly cost to the town.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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