THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Page 7 TOWN MEETING | FROM PAGE 1 “There are a lot of unknowns we don’t have control over,” Crabtree told the Finance Committee Wednesday night, referring to the potential cost of the new vocational school for Saugus taxpayers. Saugus’s enrollment at the Voke has averaged about 193 students in previous years. However, the enrollment is down to 153 students. Crabtree said he’s been unable to get answers from Voke school offi cials about why the town’s enrollment has decreased and whether that will affect its share for funding the new school. The assessment is based on the student enrollment of each city and town and can change annually based on increases or decreases in enrollment, he said. If the Town Meeting passes Article 2 (to create Stabilization Fund), members will vote on Article 3 requesting a $500,000 appropriation into the Fund. The Finance Committee approved both articles. Article 4 seeks authorization for the town to borrow $325,000 for new town vehicles — $275,000 for four police cruisers and $50,000 for a car for the Engineering Department. Crabtree said the purchase of the police cruisers is part of an ongoing program. “We try to bring on four to fi ve cruisers each year,” the town manager said. Article 5 requests an appropriation of $2.1 million for the Fire Department to purchase a new Aerial Ladder Truck to replace Ladder 1, including all of the required equipment carried on the apparatus. Crabtree said the current ladder truck has gone through several major repairs in recent years, including an engine rebuild to keep it serviceable for emergency responses. Article 6 requests $950,000 for the Fire Department to buy a new Pumper Truck to replace the existing pumper. Due to manufacturing demands and supply chain issues, it could take up to 18 months for the apparatus to be built and delivered, according to Crabtree. However, without an appropriation, the town cannot sign a contract with the manufacturer, he said. Veteran Finance Committee Member Ronald “Rocky” Jessup voted to recommend against the purchase of the pumper truck at this time. “It’s just that we got so many things coming in front of us — I just can’t justify it,” Jessup said. “I think the town’s getting overwhelmed with everything coming all at once,” he said. Crabtree said he shares Jessup’s concerns, but added that it’s his job to point out needs for the town and make the requests. Article 7 seeks $500,000 to complete public safety radio and communications infrastructure upgrades. The overall costs of enhancing the public safety system is estimated at $2 million. The town recently received $1 million through a Congressional Directed Spending federal funding request. Article 8 seeks $54,000 to match a Green Communities Grant for the completion of several energy savings projects. They include heating and ventilation equipment motors at the Public Safety Building, Saugus Public Library and the Belmonte STEAM Academy, replacing failing boilers and insulation at the Youth & Recreation Building and installation of refrigerant controls at the Veterans Memorial Learning Center. Article 9 seeks $2.9 million in capital improvements to Town of Saugus—owned buildings. The Town, in collaboration with the Director of Facilities Engineer, has created a multiyear capital improvement plan of Townowned buildings. The plan lists various capital projects and prioritizes them over the next fi ve years. “This is to prevent emergencies and protect investments in the town and schools,” Crabtree said. Finance Committee Member Jessup said there is no doubt the town needs to complete the projects on the list, but questioned whether “we need all of it now.” “I just think it’s going to be very diffi cult for the taxpayer to afford all of this,” Jessup said. Crabtree said it is his job to bring the town’s needs to the attention of public offi cials. Article 10 seeks $150,000 for the repair/replacement of the overhead doors at the Hamilton Street Fire Station. “These doors haven’t worked since 2001,” Crabtree said. “We’ve been repairing them since I’ve been here,” he said. Crabtree said there have been instances when the doors would not open mechanically and had to be opened manually in order for firetrucks to exit during an emergency call. The doors were installed when the building was built as part of a capital improvement program in 1995. Article 13 seeks $150,000 to be transferred to the Other Post-Employment Benefi ts (OPEB) Trust. The balance in the fund was $1.3 million as of March 31 last year. J& $46 yd. S MULCH SALE! Discount Spring Special PICK-UP or DELIVERY AVAILABLE 617-389-1490 Premium Hemlock or Pitch Black BELOW WHOLESALE COSTS LANDSCAPERS WELCOME $4 yd. $42 yd. $3 yd. Banking with a hometown touch. 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