GUILFORD — As part of connecting the town to the Brattleboro municipal water grid, multiple fire hydrants were installed for use by fire departments in emergencies.
The Guilford Volunteer Fire Department's own trucks, however, are not yet equipped to be compatible with these hydrants, due to updates in the parts that connect the hydrants to hoses.
The Selectboard has voted unanimously to use $4,500 from a $195,000 bond approved by voters in February to pay for the new equipment, pending any legal issues that might arise.
“Now that we have these wonderful, excellent, functioning fire hydrants, we don't have the equipment to operate them in a time of need,” Town Administrator Katie Buckley told the board.
The money will be used for the wrenches and valves needed to make the trucks compatible.
The issue arises after months of planning and negotiating for the town to be able to receive water from the Brattleboro town water supply. Guilford residents are now able to apply to join the system.
When Guilford had previously assisted Brattleboro in emergencies, the department would borrow equipment from Brattleboro.
The bond expanded municipal water line to the station itself, replacing a well with inadequate water pressure.
The board briefly discussed whether using the funds for an expense not directly related to the water grid would be permitted. Although she said she supported the idea, Selectboard member Anne Rider questioned the legality of the fund's use.
“The question I would have is the intent and spirit versus the legality. The bond is for the completion of the water line, but, on the other hand, [using the bond for this purpose instead] would make the water accessible and actually usable to the fire department,” she said.
“Even though it's not actually going in the ground, it's really part of the system and completing the project,” Rider said.