BUCKFIELD — With the purchase of new ambulances on back order by at least 18 to 24 months, the Buckfield Rescue Department has located a used ambulance that will meet its needs.

The Select Board agreed Tuesday to purchase the 2012 gas-powered Ford for $47,675. The purchase will be paid for from the department’s reserve account, which ha more than $74,000.

Rescue Chief Chip Richardson made the pitch to the board to purchase the used vehicle from Autotronics  in Frenchville and Madawaska. Minus the trade-in value of a little more than $5,000 for the department’s 2005 Ford diesel ambulance, the purchase price is $43,375. The addition of $4,300 covers lettering.

The vehicle is red and white and has 83,500 miles on it.

In other business, the board rescinded its vote to set the date of the annual town meeting for June 14. beccause there is not enough time for nomination papers and scheduling public hearings, as required by the state. Hoping to prevent changing the date multiple times in the coming months, the board voted to set the date for Aug. 16.

Town Manager Lorna Nichols said that should give town officials enough time to complete the audit, prepare a budget and compile a town report, while also allowing enough time for candidates to take out nomination papers, collect signatures and hold a public hearing.

Selectman Cameron Hinkley said residents have told him that were unwilling to volunteer for committees because they were opposed to swearing in and taking an oath.

Selectman Michael Iveson agreed, saying the board should remove all barriers that hinder residents from getting involved and volunteering. With state law requiring officials on the Planning Board and Appeals Board to take an oath, the Select Board agreed to remove that requirement for all other town boards and committees.

The board appointed Glen Holmes to the Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission. He will represent Buckfield, Minot and Hebron.

Nichols reported that the town office will have to hire two new employees to replace Cindy Dunn and Candy Brooks who the town had contracted to help the office to get back on its feet. Dunn and Brooks are set to work until May 31, but Dunn has agreed to stay on as a volunteer until the end of the fiscal year June 30 to help with the transition to the TRIO software system.

Nichols said the town may explore sharing office staff with a neighboring town.

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