The Shelburne Fire Department has proposed purchasing a used fire rescue boat to use on Lake Champlain for approximately $36,000. If purchased, it would be the only firefighting boat in the area.
At a select board meeting, Assistant Fire Chief Jim Buell highlighted the need for such a boat. Buell stated that the number of "lake calls" that Shelburne is receiving is increasing and that the purchase would allow them to fight fires and rescue people on the lake. He also stated that the boat would enable them to respond to mutual aid lake calls for other towns in the area.
The $36,000 that the boat would cost is not budgeted and voter approval would be needed for a bond. Other issues raised involved the future costs of replacing and maintaining the boat and the added burden on the Fire Department by additional calls.
The select board made a motion to table the purchase until further discussion about how to finance the boat and the possibility of getting other towns involved to lessen the burden on Shelburne taxpayers.