Lanesborough Finance Committee backs fire engine, defers two other vehicle purchases

LANESBOROUGH — April 15, 2026 — Lanesborough Finance Committee votes to advance fire engine purchase, delay dump truck and police cruiser. The five-member committee voted 4-1 at its April 15 meeting to recommend that the Select Board prioritize a roughly $1.15 million fire engine replacement — the department's current truck is 30 years old and carries a three-year manufacturing lead time — while deferring proposed purchases of a dump truck and an $80,000 police chief's vehicle, both of which had historically received funding from the Baker Hill Road District. The committee separately voted unanimously to urge the Select Board to increase a proposed $200,000 free cash transfer to offset the FY27 tax rate, with the condition that the town retain no less than $600,000 in free cash after all warrant articles are settled; the town administrator noted $100,000 in free cash offsets roughly one percentage point of the tax rate increase. Member Kristen Toole, who cast the lone dissent on vehicles, said she could not support "the purchase of any vehicles this year," citing budget pressures and the town's size. The Select Board is scheduled to act on the full warrant at its April 27 meeting.